| Author | Message | ||
     David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 2802 Registered: 4-2003 |
I have been asked to post the following information on behalf of Barry Parker, a new ACT member of the Forum who sold his Mercedes C350 and acquired the following Silver Spirit as he describes below in an email to Patrick Ryan:  I have joined the RR Forum as you may see in my details shortly. I am not very good at sizing pictures and I note that your daughter’s [Patrick Ryan's] photography of your car is quite professional. I have attached a picture which Pam took with her phone camera. We don’t know how to re-size them yet. My 1988 Silver Spirit car detail numbers are:- VRN: 2107780 Chassis: SCAZSO2A3JCH22161 Engine: 62043L41018 Manufactured: 01/1988 (This date would probably make my car one of the oldest Spirits around?) Registered: YEX 65N Expiry Date: 22/07/2018 If you could help me out by forwarding these details to the Forum in a more acceptable format, I would appreciate it very much. The vehicle came with original owner's manual and all service books, plus certificate covering the LPG installation. Together with an elegantly bound, A4 folder with transparent pockets complete with records for every year since 1988. Runs only on LPG only NOT petrol. Very smooth almost silent,ride. Slightly spongy brakes may require some adjustments. Paint is pretty old though and mismatched here and there, with stone chips in the usual places. A couple of shopping trolley dimples in a door. Took it to my mechanic, he had a drive and shook his head. He says the car drives better than some of the new cars people buy today Done nearly 200,000km and still has heaps of life left in it. Not flawless, but reckon it is about 30% better than my 1970 Shadow was overall. Went in to my mechanic’s shop last Friday for a full service check over. The dealer gave me $1000 towards any repairs. Still waiting for parts to arrive gasket, seals etc. Regards, Barry Parker | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 1387 Registered: 4-2009 |
Welcome to the forum Barry. I hope your ownership of this car will be a pleasant one. The earliest Spirits were made in 1980. If you need any help with the car - let us know. Omar | ||
| gordon le feuvre Prolific User Username: triumph Post Number: 225 Registered: 7-2012 |
Good car to own, has injected more powerful engine, but with improved economy AND ABS brakes as standard BUT not active ride (90MY) which in it's self is more complicated to go wrong. 88 cars well sorted, as it in reality should have been near full model development as historically new model should have been due 1990, given 10 year model cycle. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 1832 Registered: 4-2016 |
Welcome Baz. Good bunch of guys here. Have fun. | ||
| Nigel Coombe Experienced User Username: nigel_adelaide Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2017 |
My August 88 Spirit has done 206000kms and drives like new and better than several I have had of this model and is the same colour Lagoon Blue with Magnolia trim. The Spirit series started in 1981 but the 88 is the best of the series in my opinion with EFI and no active ride. Spongy brakes I would be looking at brake hoses and then brake spheres.Cars that are driven a lot often the best. | ||
| Larry Halpert Prolific User Username: larry_halpert Post Number: 182 Registered: 9-2003 |
'89 also doesn't have active ride, and adds a few improvements. 1990 begins active ride. | ||
| Colin Salmon New User Username: spurfatherfigure Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2018 |
My Spirit is '83 build, 84 delivered. Sorry about the 'Spur' in my user name. Misunderstanding with the vendor. My 8 other vehicles are mostly BMW. I do not regret the purchase at all and enjoy every moment behind the wheel. | ||
| Nigel Johnson Prolific User Username: nigel_johnson Post Number: 167 Registered: 12-2008 |
We enjoy ACH01253. She was registered on the 3rd of December 1980. So early she has detroit couplings on the half shafts and a Shadow 2 fuel filter! Also owned for a time by the late lamented Bill McAlpine.Regards, Nigel. | ||
| Nigel Coombe Experienced User Username: nigel_adelaide Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2017 |
The 87/88/89 are the best models in the Spirit and probably the 89 or K( in Vin)model is the best with fuel injection later air conditioning but luckily no active ride.My current Spirit is late 88 and delivered and plated in Melbourne 1/89 and very happy with it. | ||
| michael vass Grand Master Username: mikebentleyturbo2 Post Number: 476 Registered: 7-2015 |
Hi Nigel Mines an '89 and agree with you, the costs and complexity of fixing later models freigtens me. Cheers Mike | ||
| Tony Taylor New User Username: ajt Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2013 |
Would anyone have an opinion on the 1985 year Silver Spirit, given the later years appear more popular. I am considering one of this year, or a 1980 Silver Shadow 2. Less rather than more issues is the dream. Many thanks. | ||
| Roderick Waite Prolific User Username: rodwaite Post Number: 185 Registered: 1-2012 |
Hello Tony and all (and welcome Baz) - the Silver Spirit, in my opinion, represents the epitome of elegant design. It and its derivatives (Spur and Corniche) are the best looking cars RR ever made. I have a June 1984 Spirit (ECH 09680) in Willow Gold with cream interior, and whereas I applaud the better mpg and power output of the injection cars, I love the total reliability of my twin SUs. Echo (from her chassis number) lives and breathes. | ||
| Mark Aldridge Grand Master Username: mark_aldridge Post Number: 545 Registered: 10-2008 |
Hi Tony, I have had a 1982 Spirit, a 1983 Mulasanne and I currently have a 1988 Bentley8. I have found the Fuel Injection on the later car better than the carburettors on the earlier cars both in fuel economy and in maintenance. The later cars are less prone to spark plug fouling, fuel leaks, flooding and require less maintenance. I used my cars as daily drivers and covered about 30k miles in each in the 3 to 4 years that I owned the Spirit and the Mulsanne.I have owned the 8 for 14 years and this is my wife'car.Although I have just changed the Mulsanne for a W123 Mercedes, I would certainly consider another carb Spirit in the future, or an injection one. Mark | ||
| Maxwell Heazlewood Prolific User Username: tasbent Post Number: 208 Registered: 9-2017 |
I agree entirely with your assessment Mark. The later EFI is far more efficient and cleaner running. Spark plugs last much longer and general maintenance is simpler. Some people seem to have an objection to the later suspension system but I find it much less susceptible to problems. As with all these cars, they don't like sitting around for lengthy periods and really enjoy a good run to keep them healthy. No point having champagne tastes on a beer budget  | ||
| Roderick Waite Prolific User Username: rodwaite Post Number: 186 Registered: 1-2012 |
Hi guys - I think we're each happy with what we have - otherwise we wouldn't have it! I like the better mpg and power output of the EFI systems, but would defend the SUs insofar as 'maintenance' consists of a drop of oil every 3 months or so. With no costly electronics to go wrong (my experience with that on other cars has not been good!). Interestingly, the emissions test in France has an upper limit of 4.5ppm - Echo turns in a healthy 1.9ppm (A bank) and 2.2ppm (B bank). The tester says that's better than most new cars! So Tony, don't be afraid if the car of your dreams has SU carburettors ... | ||
| Omar M. Shams Grand Master Username: omar Post Number: 1573 Registered: 4-2009 |
I have owned most of the shadow and spirit series cars of all years and they are all good. There isnt a better car as such. So dont worry if yours is a 77, 82 88 etc... they are all good. The one car that i know many people have struggled with is the early turbo model Bentleys. If you have a petrol Bentley Turbo that is earlier than 86 it falls into the category of "a bitch to maintain" (sorry Alan). Other than these cars the rest are all fantastic and each of them will have their pros and cons. | ||
| michael vass Grand Master Username: mikebentleyturbo2 Post Number: 478 Registered: 7-2015 |
Hi Omar I had a mulsanne turbo (carb) and had no trouble, so if that's the worst then no worries lol Best wishes Mike | ||
| Nigel Coombe Experienced User Username: nigel_adelaide Post Number: 25 Registered: 10-2017 |
Hi A guy emailed me and asked for the sizes of the belts for the later EFI Spirits that is 87 on and thought would just put the Bosch numbers here for everyone. Fan belt 11A1270 Pair P/S 11A1130 Air Cond 11A1395 handy if you want to carry a spare set.They may also fit earlier Spirits but air cond one different as they have black Frigidaire Compressor.My car still driving perfectly love 88/89 ones . | ||
| michael vass Grand Master Username: mikebentleyturbo2 Post Number: 498 Registered: 7-2015 |
Hi just read on another forum that someone fitted an aftermarket injection system to a mulsanne turbo and works great ,don't know the manufacturer but from us and agent in UK Mike |
