Lot 41: 1982 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SPUR FOUR DOOR SALOON

'The Rainbow Car', formerly the property of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh


Rainbow livery with tan leather interior

Engine: V8, pushrod overhead valves, twin SU carburetors, 6,750cc; Gearbox: three speed automatic; Steering: power assisted rack and pinion; Suspension: anti-dive front independent by wishbones and coil springs with auxiliary gas springs, automatic height control; Brakes: dual circuit power assisted four wheel discs. Left hand drive.

With the Silver Spur and her sister the Silver Spirit, Rolls-Royce introduced in 1980 its first models for some 15 years. In the company's great tradition, the cars were at the same time a substantial step forward and yet recognizably derived from previous models. Underneath the elegant, slightly lower new body was a developed version of the 1979 Silver Shadow floorplan, given the important improvement of the self-leveling, high roll center, independent rear suspension first seen on the 1979 Corniche and Carmargue. Handling, ride and silence on course road surfaces were all improved and the mighty V8 powerplant gave a secure 120mph top speed. Engineering excellence was matched by care in construction; made of steel, heavy gauge and zinc-coated in key areas, the body was lightened by using light alloy for the doors, hood and trunk. It was endowed with eleven anti-corrosion coats under a further three of primer and five of color. With its elaborate, hand-finished leather set off by individually selected and matched burled wood, the interior was as rich as any Rolls-Royce had ever been, and its climate controlled by automatic air conditioning. Four inches longer than the Silver Spirit, the Silver Spur provided scope for additional refinement and comfort.

At the height of his religious influence, the Oregon-based Bhagwan owned eighty four Rolls-Royce (all received as donations from his disciples) of which eighteen were painted in a variety of individual color schemes by one of his disciples, Swani Deva Peter. Peter was an ex-drag racer who specialized in custom paintwork, and joined the Bhagwan in the 1970s. He was quoted by Automobile Quarterly as saying "Cars have a particular fascination to our freedom of spirit more so than any other form." His passion for both his faith and his artistic ability culminated in the expression of an amazing talent. After considering several designs, 'The Rainbow Car' was influenced directly from the Bhagwan's week-long Masters Day holiday in 1985 where he proclaimed that he hoped to see his disciples abandon their traditional red attire in favor of technicolored dress.

Following inclusion in Automobile Quarterly (Volume 24, No. 4), 'The Rainbow Car' was offered for sale at auction where the current vendor acquired it for personal use. Displaying just over 77,000 miles on the odometer, this much-loved Silver Spur has proved to be both an entertaining and enjoyable form of transport and has been professionally maintained with no expense spared. When recently inspected it ran without fault and presented very well throughout, particularly under the engine bay, with the only flaw being that of some isolated lifting of lacquer in some areas. Having resided in California while in the current ownership and as a testament to its usability, it is anticipated that 'The Rainbow Car' will be driven to the sale and comes together with a generous history file. This luxury saloon offers practical, modern motoring with a unique twist and is certainly worthy of consideration.