Silver Spirit models

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Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit
1980 - 1989

Number manufactured 8,126 First and last chassis number First chassis number: SCAZS0000ACH01001 (1980). Last chassis number: SCAZS00A3KCH27798 (1989). Dimensions, kerb weight, performance Length width height 527 cm; 528 cm for American cars 189 cm, 201 cm with mirrors 148 cm Boot 0.35 m3 Wheel base Track front/rear 306 cm 154/154 cm Turning circle 11.7 m Kerb weight 2245 kg; 2259 kg for American cars Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h 10.2 seconds 10.6 seconds from 1987 VIN 20001 on Top speed 119 mph, 192 km/h 126 mph, 202 km/h from VIN 20001 on Characteristics and peculiarities Backgrounds of this model - The Silver Spirit is the successor of the Silver Shadow II. - The model was available in an extended edition from the beginning (Silver Spur) and as a Bentley (Mulsanne). - The Silver Spirit was not available on the American, Canadian and Japanese markets until model year 1981. Original characteristics - The Silver Spirit has the same engine and gear box as the Silver Shadow II: a 6750 cc V8 engine without turbo with a three speed automatic gear box (GM400) and carburetters (American and Japanese cars fuel injection). The maximum power is 198,5 bhp at 3800 rpm. - The Silver Spirit has rectangular head lamps with twin lamps. - Until 1985 the head lamps were provided with a wash/wipe headlamps cleaning system. - The back seats have a styling of two separate seats instead of a bench. - The Silver Spirit is the first model that comes with a Flying lady that disappears in the radiator shell at impact (not on the USA market). - The grille is 1 inch lower and 2,5 inch wider than the grille of the Silver Shadow. The material is polished stainless steel. - From chassis number 20001 onwards (mid 1987) all cars have a fuel injection system. Until mid 1987 all cars have carburetters, except cars for the American and Japanese market (fuel injection). - Until mid 1987 all cars have two spread exhaust pipes. From chassis number 20001 onwards (mid 1987) all cars have a single exhaust. - The Silver Spur has mineral fluid (HSMO, also called LHM) in the hydraulic system. - The floor pan is the same as the basic floor pan of the Silver Shadow II. - No identification plate. Model year 1981 - The Silver Spirit was not available on the American, Canadian and Japanese markets until model year 1981. American models have twin rectangular sealed beam headlamps without cover. These lamps have no wash and wipe facility. - American and Canadian models have energy absorbing bumpers (which make the car a bit longer), no airdam and no fog lamps. - American, Canadian and Japanese cars are provided with fuel injection. Model year 1985 - The head lamp wipers are replaced by high pressure jet washers. - Changes to the dashboard. Model year 1986 - The number plate is fitted on the bumper instead of below it. - Standard with a cellphone housed within the front central arm rest. - Australian cars are fitted with standard fuel injection. Model year 1987, from number 20001 on - Standard fuel injection. - Restyled seats with increased lateral support and fully-adjustable head restraints inside the passengers compartment. Electrical operation of the seat squab. - Electric front seat adjustment, linked to an electronic memory device with four preferred positions for both driver and passenger; mirror positions are logged in the memory system. - Bosch anti-locking brakes on all cars except for the NA market. - Hard suspension, like the Turbo R. - One-piece airdam. - Changes to the dashboard and centre console. - From number 20240 on in model year 1987 the Silver Spirit was fitted with a catalyst, but could also be specified without it. Model year 1989 - From model year 1989 the Silver Spirit got a new front airdam again. - New in-car entertainment system. - Restyled cantrail finishers. Production and chassis numbers The Silver Spirit between the other models In 1980 at the launch of the Silver Spirit the factory sold 5 separate model series:    (1) the 4-door saloon (Silver Spirit, Bentley Mulsanne)    (2) the long wheelbase (Silver Spur, Mulsanne LWB)    (3) the Phantom VI    (4) the Corniche 2-door saloon and convertible    (5) the Camargue. The production of the Silver Shadow II ended in December 1980, of the Silver Wraith II in February 1981, of the Corniche 2-door saloon in May 1981. The Corniche convertible has been built until 1995 (Corniche IV) and the Camargue until the end of 1986 (model year 1987). Identification of the model in the chassis number The chassis number of a Silver Spirit has: - the letter A on the third position - the letter S on the fifth position - a number between 01001 and 27798. Further details about the production and the chassis numbers - The chassis numbers in the years 1980 up to and including 1989 are assigned in batches. Batches exist for the standard saloon models (Silver Spirit, Mulsanne), the long wheelbase models (Silver Spur, Bentley LWB), the turbo models (Mulsanne Turbo, Turbo R), the Bentley Eight, the convertibles (Corniche, Continental), the Camargues and the Phantoms VI. - The Silver Spirit and the Bentley Mulsanne (Mulsanne S from 1988) without turbo have got mixed numbers within the same batches. - In model year 1980 every Silver Spirit had four noughts on the sixth up to and including the ninth position of the chassis number. This part of the number didn't get a correct value until model year 1981. That means also that the control digit (ninth position) in model year 1980 is not correct for sure. - In model year 1980 no Silver Spirit was built for the American, Canadian and Japanese markets. The production for these marketss started with model year 1981. - The first cars of model year 1980 were destined for promotional purposes. Series of numbers and unused numbers - No number was assigned to a Silver Spirit between 10111 and 12000, and between 16971 and 20000. Between 10111 and 10427 there are series of numbers that are assigned to other models (Corniche, Continental, Camargue, Phantom VI). Numbers LHD / RHD Left-hand drive Right-hand drive Model year Number % (p yr) Number % (p yr) Total 1980 142 35% 269 65% 411 1981 657 42% 890 58% 1,547 1982 810 57% 612 43% 1,422 1983 222 38% 357 62% 579 1984 421 55% 342 45% 763 1985 401 53% 362 47% 763 1986 352 41% 497 59% 849 1987 294 51% 283 49% 577 1988 285 46% 332 54% 617 1989 232 39% 366 61% 598 Total 3,816 47% 4,310 53% 8,126 Details of model year 1980 (pictures below):

Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit SCAZS0000ACH01001 from 1980, the very first Silver Spirit (picture above). Silver Spirits and Bentleys Mulsanne on the press presentation in 1980 (below). Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, model year 1987, press photos (below). Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, model year 1989, press photos (below):

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