1988 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur LWB Four-Door Saloon

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

The Nethercutt Collection is one of America’s finest Automotive Museums and Collections, a masterpiece comprising over 250 perfectly restored American and European motor cars, along with a vast array of rare mechanical musical instruments and precious antique furniture. 

Maintaining a classic car collection of this size is never easy, and when it reaches the scale of our collection, it becomes increasingly more challenging. Our founder, J.B. Nethercutt said the following at age 91, “The recognition and preservation of beauty has been a major focus of my life. It would suit me well if what people remembered about me was, ‘Where he went, he left beauty behind.’” 

As a result, we have decided to part ways with a small group of cars from the collection and will do so in partnership with our friends at Hagerty Marketplace. Many of the cars we have decided to sell we have owned for in excess of 50 years, or have been in storage, not on display, or represent a tremendous opportunity as a restoration project. They are a compelling mix of pre-war examples that have been thoroughly well-cared for and that will easily find new caretakers who will undoubtedly cherish and use them as intended.  

As we say goodbye to this group of cars, we hope the occasion for their sale will introduce us to new collectors and enthusiasts, and we look forward to hosting you at the Museum and Collection in Sylmar, California, in the coming months, years and decades. 

* * * 

Rolls-Royce introduced a new model range in October 1980. Essentially an update of the previous Silver Shadow II using the same engine and drivetrain, it incorporated a new rear suspension with gas springs. The Silver Shadow II was replaced by the Silver Spirit and the Silver Wraith II by the Silver Spur. The Pininfarina–designed Camargue and the Corniche (in Convertible form only) remained, though revised to incorporate the new mechanicals.    

The new car featured a 6.75-litre V8 and a GM THM-400 three-speed automatic transmission along with Girling-supplied automatic ride control. In classic Rolls-Royce tradition, horsepower was never quoted and was simply referred to as adequate. The Mark I model remained in production until it was superseded by an updated Mark II version in 1989.  

“This Silver Spur was placed at the disposal of the Duke and Duchess of York during their official visit to Los Angeles during March 1988. It was used exclusively by the Duke and Duchess commuting between the Royal Yacht Brittania and official Royal functions.” It was initially delivered to Gregg Motors/Rolls-Royce of Beverly Hills, having arrived in Los Angeles via sealed container on or about 11 February 1988.   

Highlights  

• Offered from The Nethercutt Collection  

• Extremely well-preserved car 

• Exceptional original condition 

• Commissioned for use by the Duke and Duchess of York in March 1988 

• Excellent paint, chrome, interior leather, wood and headliner 

• Engine bay shows like new 

• Rolls-Royce Foundation documentation 

Features  

• Paint meter chart 

• Start-up video 

• Vogue tires 

• Tinted windows 

• Everflex vinyl roof 

• Wool carpet with mouton floor mats 

• Automatic climate control 

• Automatic transmission 

• 6.75-litre fuel-injected V8 

• Cruise control 

• Six-way power seats with memory 

• Remote side view mirrors 

• Rear picnic trays and seat back compartments with decanter and crystal glasses 

• Hand-painted gold pinstripes 

• Intermittent wipers 

• Power antenna 

• Carpeted trunk 

• AM-FM Stereo radio w/cassette and graphic equalizer 

Included  

• Newspaper articles about the Royal visit to Los Angeles March 1988

Ownership History  

“This Silver Spur was commissioned and personalized for the exclusive use of the Duke and Duchess of York during their official stay in Los Angeles for the UK/LA Celebration March 1988,” as noted on a plaque in the rear compartment of this Silver Spur. It was built in December 1987 and delivered to Rolls-Royce of Beverly Hills. It was donated to the Nethercutt Collection on 28 March 2017. Newspaper articles about the visit are included.  

Acquired from Brian Brooks and Gloria McDonald, Las Vegas, Nevada (2017).

From Cameron Richards, Vice President of The Nethercutt Collection: “As many may know, the Nethercutt Collection houses some of the finest Rolls Royce’s ever produced. We have displayed this car since 2017 proudly. However, because of the eclectic selection of Rolls Royce’s in the museum, we agreed that this Silver Spur would most likely never see a show field. Besides an EV1, this is the newest car in the collection. After almost 40 years, this Rolls-Royce has accumulated less than 14,000 miles! We feel that it is right to part ways with it so someone can finally put some proper miles on this beautiful car!” 

Additional Notes  

Please note that this title is in transit.

A Broad Arrow Auctions Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle. Broad Arrow Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hagerty.  

Contact: Donnie Gould    Phone: 954.647.0779     email: dgould@hagerty.com