Succeeding the best-selling Silver Shadow and building on what was a winning formula, the Silver Spirit now offers the best in classic Rolls-Royce value.
The British International Motor Show of October 1980 was of major importance to the UK, with three headline-grabbing new models set to be unveiled. The entire future of BL relied on the new Austin Metro being a resounding success, while over at Ford the switch to front-wheel drive for the third generation Escort was another significant move. For the wealthiest buyers of the time, however, the focus was on RollsRoyce and the launch of its first all-new saloon in 15 years.
The debut of a new Rolls-Royce is always significant, but the arrival of the Silver Spirit was particularly so. Designed to replace the best-selling Silver Shadow, the newcomer had to take the company forward into the ’Eighties; and in true Rolls-Royce tradition, it had to remain in production far longer than most (lesser) cars. That meant it needed to be modern enough in terms of engineering and styling to ensure longevity, yet not so adventurous that it might risk alienating Rolls-Royce’s more traditional buyers. By any standards, it was a tricky balancing act.
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