Lot 411: 1986 Bentley Eight

Introduced by Rolls-Royce in 1980, the Silver Spirit was the first of a new generation of models for the company which would form the basis for the Silver Spur, Silver Dawn, Limousine and Park Ward. The same chassis was also used by sister company Bentley for its new Mulsanne/Eight series, and it would enjoy a long life right up until the entire range was replaced following the separation of two of Great Britain's most illustrious marques and their respective sale to BMW and Volkswagen in 1998. Sharing the basic floorpan of the Silver Shadow as well as its 6,750cc V8 engine, the Silver Spirit was not entirely new and naturally inherent in its design was the high degree of ride quality courtesy of the self-levelling suspension from the Shadow, this time using a Girling automatic hydraulic ride height control system and gas-filled shock absorbers; the Silver Spur, produced concurrently, was an otherwise long wheelbase version of the Silver Spirit. Notably, both models were the first Rolls-Royces to feature a retractable Spirit of Ecstasy, the spring-loaded mascot disappearing into the radiator shell if dislodged from its position. Finished in Black Ashwood with Surf Blue leather seats with Highland cloth inserts, this 1986 Bentley Eight's interior has the added attractions of matching blue leather top rolls, knee rolls and armrest tops. Also sporting alloy wheels and a twin headlamp conversion, and offered in good condition, it comes complete with a history file containing service and maintenance invoices, a V5 registration document, a current MoT test certificate and a personalised registration number.