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Books Models Highlights Cars
of 1998 |
Car
of the Month - September 2001 |
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 "Among the finer things of life are the creations of quite ordinary men with imagination, who conscientiously and persistently apply their God-given talents towards perfection of the work of their choice" Arthur Soutter starts the introduction to his book The American Rolls-Royce. The book describes the eventful period during the 20ies and 30ies, when an American subsidiary of Rolls-Royce did exist. Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost und Rolls-Royce Phantom I were made at the Springfield Plant located in Hendee Street, Springfield, Mass. USA. The company files inform that the first car (chassis number #102CE) was completed there in January 1921.
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| Top of Page |  In
every visible and in every hidden detail Rolls-Royce Silver Spur
Springfield Edition lived up to the characteristic that Arthur Soutter had
described in the first sentence of his book The American Rolls-Royce. The
only reason for critic might be that such remarkable motor cars were
available exclusively to the US market. Perhaps one of the cars from the
limited series will find a new home with an enthusiast living in another
part of world? The photos show a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur
"Stratford" from the Springfield Edition.
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In
1996 Rolls-Royce celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Rolls-Royce in North
America with a limited series "Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Springfield
Edition". A bootlid-mounted badge informed "Coachbuilt at
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, Crewe, England by Mulliner Park Ward". A
choice between five two tone colour combinations adopted from those
available on Brewster-bodied cars of the 20ies was offered. A reduced rear
window was a most elegant solution to guarantee more privacy for rear seat
occupants. As regards the interior the coachbuilder's craftsmen had
indulged in buttoned Chesterfield-style upholstery. Special Madrona veneer
with cherry cross banding and boxwood inlay was used. An inlaid and
inscribed madrona veneer panel on the centre console marked the
Anniversary.
The
model featured memory-function of electronic, tilt-adjustable steering
column and front seating (with lumbar support and heating elements) as
well as inner and outer mirrors. Electrically adjustable rear seats,
chrome bezels to instrumentation, vanity mirrors to the C-post, drop-down
picnic tables in the backrest of the front-seats and a lot of other extras
were standard. Standard, too, were AM/FM/ Cassette Radio with CD changer
and concealed cell phone as well as the highly sophisticated
self-adjusting air-conditioning unit.
As
regards technical components Rolls-Royce decided to leave the well-proven
units untouched. The 6.75-litre V8-engine provided more than sufficient
power, the car accelerates magnificently. Smooth ride is guaranteed by
electronically controlled roadholding. Should there be need, speed is
eliminated impressively by the advanced ABS-assisted ventilated
disc-brakes.