Time has not been kind to this Rolls-Royce Silver Spur. In 1981, this was just about the coolest damn thing on the street for anyone to have been driving. Not only is this the long-wheelbase version of Rolls’ luxury sedan, but it was delivered to a coachbuilder in Toronto where the roof was cut off and replaced by a folding canvas job at great expense. Just 10 examples of the chop shop drop top were built, making it a rare (if not exactly desirable) piece of automotive history. If you’re so inclined, you can make it yours right now for just $9,995.
The good news is that this car carries Rolls’ iconic six and three-quarters liter V8 engine mated to a GM-sourced 3-speed automatic transmission. When returned to tip-top shape, this car should easily pull light a freight train and waft you anywhere in the country in ultimate top-down luxury. This is the perfect car for Palm Springs, if you ask me.
The bad news is that it has been sitting for a decade. Unfortunately three of those years were outside, and the rear window of the convertible top cracked, letting in moisture. After that it seems the car was stored indoors, but without the top attached. The car doesn’t come with a top at all, and you’ll have to custom fabricate a new frame and canvas if you want one.
Even worse, the car appears to need a completely new interior and a fresh paint job at a minimum. It’s going to be an expensive proposition to return it to fresh, and it’ll take a whole lot of elbow grease to get it done. If I didn’t already have a couple handfuls of project cars, I might try to pick this up and get it running again, just so I could say I had a drophead Rolls. Even without a top, this would be a riot to drive around on sunny summer days, or use for parades or something. It might be an even better luxury convertible with an electric swap, you know? You should buy it so I can stop thinking about it.