Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. Introduced as a limited edition model of the Silver Spur III for the 1995 model year, the Rolls-Royce Flying Spur was the first Rolls to be fitted with a turbocharged engine and naturally, the chosen powerplant was Bentley's well established 6. 75-litre turbocharged V8, as found in their much admired Turbo R. Performance was more than adequate, especially considering the Spur's substantial 2, 387kg, with the Bentley's 385bhp whistling its cossetted occupants up to 60mph in around seven seconds and onwards to a less than respectable 150mph. The Turbo R’s settings for its adaptive damping and self-levelling suspension were also borrowed for the new car meaning the Flying Spur was as enjoyable to drive as it was to be driven in.
The Silver Spur III's exemplary standards of equipment and finish were not just maintained in the new model but enhanced, the most noticeable change being the adoption of separate rear seats and the reinstatement of folding picnic tables. Often hailed as the last of the 'old school' Rolls-Royce that started with the Silver Shadow of 1965 and aimed at the owner-driver, but with rear passenger refinement unparalleled when compared with contemporary rivals.
Interest was strong and it quickly became clear that there was enough demand for more than the 50 cars Rolls-Royce initially intended to build. By the time production concluded, 134 Flying Spurs had left the factory with, we understand, only 43 in right-hand drive.
This beautiful example appears to have been the 23rd built with assembly commencing on October 5th 1994. Ordered in the fabulous deep and velvety hue of Wildberry with Sandstone hides piped in Wildberry, very few boxes were left unticked on the order sheet with the car benefitting from matching lambs-wool rugs, silk privacy curtains, figured Walnut veneers, twin cocktail cabinets, a Sony VCR system with headrest mounted screens, electric sunroof, rear blind and the automatically retractable Spirit of Ecstasy atop that exquisite chromed grille. A further addition was the Mulliner Park Ward Hooper limousine rear window, a rare and expensive option.
When complete, the car was delivered to HR Owen in London on 25th January 1995 prior to being shipped to a wealthy industrialist in, what was then, the British province of Hong Kong. It remained there, in the care of, we believe, a single owner until 2022 when it was brought home and extensively recommissioned before becoming the property of its first UK custodian.
To date, the car has covered a mere 19, 537 miles and is supplied with its original book pack, bespoke toolkit and its current MOT valid until 28th July 2025. As can be seen from our images, it remains in simply exceptional condition, a credit to its keepers. If you have reached a point in your life where you feel that you deserve a bit of a reward without being too extravagant, then this gloriously presented and rather rare Flying Spur may well be the answer.
