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Lawrence Heasman
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Username: lheasman

Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Sunday, 25 May, 2008 - 17:20:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I am looking at purchasing a late 80's Spirit or Spur. Apart from the longer wheel base does the Spur offer any other advantages / creature comforts over the Sprit. Also, is there a reason why Spurs seem to be cheaper?
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Paul Yorke
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Username: paul_yorke

Post Number: 156
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Sunday, 25 May, 2008 - 17:56:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Lawrence,

They usually have picnic tables, other than that much the same. You do find some with nice extras though. Cocktail cabinets, rear armrest bits(?), remote stereos. . . .

Cheaper because ??? not sure really. My theories are:

The extra 4" makes it too long for many garages.

They usually come with a vinyl roof which some people don't like ( can get more water ingress as well)

Also, using a 'Search' for Spirit often misses the Spurs.

4" extra may not sound like it would make a difference . . . but try wearing trousers 4" too long.

( Hmmmm - my wife is giggling over my shoulder, not sure why! ) :-)
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J Feller
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Posted From: 144.140.129.132
Posted on Friday, 30 May, 2008 - 15:44:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Lawrence,

Speaking from expirence, I looked at both Spirit and Spur before settling on my beloved Spirit. As Paul highlights, Spurs were a little longer in the rear i.e yes about 4'' or so, it gave slightly more leg streching out room for rear passengers. Spirits are not cramped in the rear though. Aside from say standard picnic tables which were an option in the Spirit that's the only real difference. All the running gear and interior appointments were much the same. Oh Spurs normally had slightly different hubcaps like those fitted to the Corniche, than the fluted ones on the Spirit.
As for Spurs being cheaper now than Spirits, I'm not sure why that would be, I suspect it maybe that some Spurs having been bought for hire/wedding car work in favour of more leg room than their sister Spirit cars are on the market with very high kilometres perhaps....
The vinyl roof or 'everflex' as it was known was as Paul says, very popular then and yes most Spurs do have this with a slightly smaller rear window in some instances. It is really a matter of personal taste now whether this appeals to you or not. Personally I don't like everflex as it tends to be dull in finish and looks awful if neglected. Some Spurs I have seen lately don't have it now, the everflex having been removed and the roof and pillars returned to the body colour which in my opinion produces a much more handsome vehicle.
The choice is yours Lawrence and there are quite a number of cars out and about but as a word of warning, get any propective car you find checked by someone who knows these cars. Horror stories abound about first time buyers taking the first car they see and then find the love affair quickly ends when the said machine 'fails to proceed' for any number of reasosns, mostly complete neglect....
Also contrary to most ignorant remarks I have heard, these cars are extrodinary reliable if looked after correctly. Yes they do require regular manintence and servicing as any 20 + year old machine does now and it is not cheap to keep them. Remeber they are not new and fair wear and tear you have to expect. I would budget between 5-10K on top of the purchase $ for the first year as you iron out all the little bug bears you will find after purchase... Actual straight servcing is not that dear though, an annual service being no more than about a grand. My other recommendation is find a specialist in your neck of the woods and go talk with them. Crewe Motors, Mr Ken Aulich is in Melbourne. These people will know where the best cars are. These are usually never advertised and the owners may simply decide to sell them to a good home as it were.... You will pay more for the good cars of course but in the long run these are the ones you want Lawrence. Don't be tempted to buy the $20K one with checkered history, tyre shine all over it on some dodgy dealers lot without knowing about the car.
If treated with respect and looked after they will reward you with their very charateristic 'locomotive' driving expirence. They are no road burning sports car mind...... but in my opinion no other big wooffling V8 sounds as good as the Royce monster.... its quiet but very purposeful!

There is no rule of thumb re pricing these days, it all comes down to 3 words that were drilled into me, conditon, condition, condition. If it looks like a bucket of bolts for 20-30K then guess what... it will be... , there are many really good ones around. It took me 6 months to find mine. Also watchout for UK, Hong Kong and Japanese private imports. While these cars might be good, they will be a lot cheaper than an original Aussie delivered example due to their 'grey' provenence. Cars orginally delivered and made for Australian conditions will have increased capacity for the cooling systems and will have compliance with all the Australian Auto standards. The Aussie Compliance plate should be in the engine bay front valance on the passenger side of the vehicle telling you the month and year it was first complied. It is very important to make sure you know where the car was originally delivered too. A full service history and original manuals/books are the gold chip to look for too.

Good Luck and happy hunting Lawrence, if you want any more info I would certainly recommend you contact your nearest RR & Bentley specialist.

Cheers

James

(Message approved by david_gore)
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Lawrence Heasman
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Username: lheasman

Post Number: 4
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Monday, 02 June, 2008 - 15:10:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Well thanks very much James and Paul for your advice and words of wisdom. My search continues for that 'perfect' specimen. I know what you mean about the Everflex, it's not to eveyones taste! Removing it though would be a big job I imagine. Why do the Spurs have this - is it to hide a join or something for the extra length? Any ideas on what a re-spray woud cost? I have seen a couple of great Spurs - but the colours!!
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Paul Yorke
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Username: paul_yorke

Post Number: 162
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Monday, 02 June, 2008 - 20:44:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi, I think it was partly to hide joins on the small rear window cars but mostly as a styling feature.

It is expensive to get them off and paint the roof, usually much more work than replacing it.

Rust under the Everflex can be / is a problem. (well in damp old UK at any rate :-) )

No idea on painting out in Aus - Sorry.
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J Feller
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 124.176.117.245
Posted on Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 - 08:10:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Lawrence,

If you want to re do the everflex material it is hideously expensive. You are really better to remove it altogether if knackered. I would budget for between 3-5K to respray the roof to body colour Lawrence. Luckily here, unlike 'the old dart', our weather is a lot more kind and rust is normally not a problem for our cars. Plus the fact these cars would have always been garaged. RA Chapman are another RR & Bentley Specialist in Melbourne for you to go have a chat with Lawrence.
The reason for everflex as far as I have read was two fold... As Paul rigthly points out it can cover some joins around the smaller rear window if the car has got this, some Spurs didn't... and also it was simply fashionable at the time.... I have seen Spirits with everflex so it was not just the Spur that was unfortunatly covered with this stuff. My opinion is the Yanks liked it and still do and as they bought more Rollers and Bentleys than anyone else ca la vie.....
Colours.... yes the big dilema.... again you may have to put aside personal favourites and simply accept what is around Lawrence. White, Magnolia, Ocean Blue ( light metallic blue), Claret ( burgundy) are all colours that really date the car now, if you can find a more contempary colour go for it if the condition is right. Silvers, Royal Blues, Dark Greens, Blacks, Dark Greys still look great. My own car is a colour that is called Cotswold it means nothing in name here in Aus but is in fact a lovely champagne silver which is still contempary and looks good even today in my opinion.
Ahh respray, well RR did help here by not actually spraying the engine bay and wheel arches anything but black. If I had to guess a cost for this Lawrence I woud say around the 20K + mark.... in other words... don't bother, look for a while, there are some nice ones avalible on carpoint.com.au currently.

Good luck

James

(Message approved by david_gore)
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Lawrence Heasman
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Username: lheasman

Post Number: 7
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 - 18:28:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Thanks James. There is rumour of a champagne gold Spur comming up soon, but with the good old black everflex! It may look OK or possibly be rather 'Arthur Daley'! Is there a RR site that shows an example of the colours other than just the code names? I take it from the general comments on everflex that cars with it will be cheaper / less desireable, hence the Spurs commanding slightly lower prices than the Spirits.
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James Feller
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Username: james_feller

Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Wednesday, 04 June, 2008 - 09:11:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Mate, not sure re a site that shows the factory colours, there were literally dozens of combinations when you take into account two tone paint work and the like that could be ordered. You are always better to go and look at the cars in the light of day anyway..... also someones idea of grey maybe quite 'silver' to someone else.... always best to see it with your own eyes.
Oh gold was a colour I forgot.... now while I demurred white and magnolia as 'old' colours... true gold on these again dates them pretty significantly but if in outstanding condition again its all a matter of personal taste.
As I said on my previous post, 'carpoint.com.au' looks to have a lovely 81 Spur down your neck of the woods. Why the Spur anyway....?
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Lawrence Heasman
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Username: lheasman

Post Number: 8
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Wednesday, 04 June, 2008 - 18:35:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Thanks James, the gold is rather 80's.I have just looked at an '89 Spur that's come from an Embassey in Canberra - H24747. It's in mint condition inside so it's off to Downshire motors tomorrow for a pre purchase inspection. I want a Spur as I would like to do Winery Tours and the odd wedding to help towards the running costs!! The Spur is just so luxurious in the back, its a true limmo plus you get more for your $$!! If it comes back mechanically sound I think I will get it re-sprayed a dark metalic blue that will better complement the everflex. The car is from Bob Parsons at Brigton Motors.
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Lawrence Heasman
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Username: lheasman

Post Number: 9
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Wednesday, 04 June, 2008 - 18:44:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi James,
Forgot to mention the 81 Spur on Carpoint was the very first one I viewed. Lovely car, but the colour again was not great and the price won't give me any spare $$ for a respray, even though this one was resprayed a few years ago. Originally it was Dark Oyster.
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James Feller
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Username: james_feller

Post Number: 5
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Thursday, 05 June, 2008 - 09:39:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

OK, again your choice,

its fun finding the right car actually. I had a ball finding mine and when you do its very rewarding... but make sure you have some dough in the kick to get the inevitable done... no matter what condition its in these cars ALWAYS need something.....

If not already suggested to you you should once you purchase the car get it registered in the RR club.Happy Hunting Lawrence.

Cheers

James