Based on the Silver Shadow II, the Silver Spirit and its long-wheelbase counterpart, the Silver Spur, were announced in the autumn of 1980.

Rolls-Royce's familiar and dependable 6,750cc V8 power unit remained unchanged, but significant improvements were made to the newcomers' self-levelling rear suspension and the styling too came in for revision, with a lower waistline, increased glass area and a more modern angular look; rectangular headlights graced the front of a Rolls-Royce for the first time, and the oft-changed radiator became wider and squatter.

Inside, the Crewe firm's exemplary standards of equipment and finish were maintained, the most noticeable change being the adoption of separate rear seats and the reinstatement of folding picnic tables.

Launched in the autumn of 1989, by which time fuel-injection had been adopted for all markets, the Silver Spirit II looked virtually identical to its immediate predecessor (15-spoke alloy wheels excepted) but featured a number of det...