1994 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Reviews

Company founder Sir Henry Royce aimed to "strive for perfection in everything you do" but problems happen even to the best of them - Rolls Royce has issued two recalls on its Ghost and million-dollar Phantom.The BMW-owned British marque is investigating a fault with the Ghost's turbocharger cooling system on its 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 engine, as well as the Phantom's hydraulic fault within the braking system.The company issued a recall on the Ghost Sedan over fire risks if "the turbo cooling pump cracks, the pump electronics may smoulder, possibly causing an engine compartment fire or a vehicle fire," the notice said. The recall covers Ghosts available for sale between September 1, 2009 and June 30, 2011.Rolls-Royce Asia-Pacific aftersales general manager Carl Whipp said in a letter to customers said vehicles may be affected by an auxiliary water pump failure within the turbocharger cooling system. "In extreme cases this could lead to overheating, posing a potential fire risk," the letter to customers said.The bastion of British motoring has also recalled the Phantom - in sedan, coupe and convertible forms - sold between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2009, over concerns oil can get into the brake booster. In a letter to owners, Rolls-Royce aftersales general manager Michael Dedekind told Phantom owners a potential oil leak in the braking system and reduce of braking assistance."Mechanical braking is still available to slow and stop the vehicle and there have been no reported incidents among Rolls-Royce owners. "Furthermore, as this issue relates to older vehicles with a high mileage, we believe it is highly unlikely that Rolls-Royce customers will be affected," the letter says.The recall numbers are only a handful as the company's Australian volumes are not considered high - the brand's total sales for 2012 so far is 4 and just 20 Rolls-Royce cars were sold last year.In fact, over the last 10 years only 124 Rolls-Royce cars were sold in Australia - but that's no surprise, given the Ghost starts at $645,000 and the Phantom's asking price starts at just over $1-million. 

Travolta's car, worth around $100,000, was reported stolen last September after the actor left it parked near a Jaguar dealership in Los Angeles.Following a tip, investigators followed Michael Green, 58, to an illegal auto repair facility and discovered what they called a "chop shop" of stolen cars and car parts.Various parts from Travolta's 1970 Mercedes 280 SL convertible were among those found. Green, from Los Angeles, admitted stealing Travolta's car and more than 30 other classic cars over a two-year period.D.L. Rayford, 52, also of Los Angeles, admitted to helping to steal Travolta's car and hide it. Green was jailed for 14 years and Rayford received an 18-month sentence.The "Pulp Fiction" star is an avid car collector, in addition to being a bona fide aviator. His array of vehicles includes a Rolls-Royce and a Jaguar XJ6.

The Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase makes Australian debut in Sydney to coincide with the opening of a new and extended showroom in Sydney's O'Riordan Street.  The long wheelbase Ghost, which at $695,000 is $50,000 more expensive than the existing Ghost, is the sixth new Rolls-Royce model to be available in Australia.  Standard is a panoramic sunroof, lambs wool carpets, multi-media theatre system and electronically-controlled air suspension. But more than luxury on wheels, the 420kW/780Nm 6.6-litre V12 engine allows the lengthened Rolls to sprint to 100km/h in only five seconds - about the same time as a Subaru WRX. Rolls-Royce regional director for Asia-Pacific, Paul Harris, says "The Ghost Extended Wheelbase is a car for all occasions''.  "Owners who enjoy Ghost for its effortless power-delivery and driver dynamic will be delighted with the enhanced rear-cabin space in Ghost Extended Wheelbase,'' he says.  "This truly is the perfect, no compromise motor car - a fact that's been reflected in the phenomenal media and customer response the car has enjoyed across Asia-Pacific.'' Rolls-Royce in Australia sold 20 cars in 2011, down from 25 in 2010, and has sold three cars to the end of February.  But Mr Harris says the Ghost - at $645,000 a "less formal'' Rolls-Royce that is $423,000 shy of the bigger Phantom - has seen "exceptional demand'' since its 2009 launch in Australia.  "It has introduced a new generation of customers to the marque, wowed by its combination of drivability and hallmark Rolls-Royce exuberant luxury,'' he says.  The new Rolls-Royce showroom, operated by Trivett, is described as a custom-built, state-of-the art facility with room for four cars and a "bespoke'' space for customers to comm ission their hand-built cars. In addition to the bespoke area, the showroom has a mezzanine entertainment lounge designed by renowned interior designers POCO.  Customers will be able to view the latest paint, leather and wood samples from the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England, and commission a car "as unique as their own fingerprints'', says Harris.

... rival the prices on the BMW options' list for things like salad and spuds.So it's no surprise that the top end of town calls the shots at the Palexpo alongside Geneva Airport as Europe's carmakers go head-to-head for the first time in 2012. Ferrari and Lamborghini battle for go-faster bragging rights as Rolls-Royce and Bentley get serious about family motoring for the ultra-rich, while Infiniti pitches an new exotic coupe and even Ssangyong of Korea goes upmarket with a new concept. There are also dozens of one-off dream machines and hotrod tuner cars in Geneva, a show that is traditionally dominated by European design stars including Pininfarina and Giugiaro. But there is plenty, too, for ordinary car buyers as the Fiesta ST brakes cover, Hyundai updates the i20 and teases with the Veloster Turbo, Jaguar confirms an XF station wagon, Audi and Mercedes-Benz previews their A3 and A-Class, and Ford even updates its box-boring Transit workhorse. Picking the best of the best is tough with so much gorgeous stuff on the stands, but Alfa Romeo is the winner for 2012 and edges out the Infiniti Emerge-E with its Disco Volante.The pretty little red coupe is dreamy without being stupid and is already confirmed for production, although the slightly-retro body will be draped over Alfa's existing 8C Competizione chassis - 4.7-litre V8, 335kW, 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds - which means it's no chance for Australia with only left-hand drive.The Ferrari F12 is exactly what you expect from the fastest car to wear the badge - 340km/h and 0-100km/h in 3.1 seconds - including a swoopy body that taps the past as well as the influences that created the California convertible, but Lamborghini goes even better with an Aventador J preview car that is snapped up for a rumoured $2.8 million ahead of genuine production of an open-topped Aventador supercar.Rolls-Royce updates the Phantom with a new nose that still demands respect, as well as tweaking its colour choices with a two-tone approach that triggers memories of cheap seventies vinyl roofs, and Jaguar gets serious for families with an XF Sportbrake that will still struggle in a world of SUVs.Further down the food chain, the Audi A3 looks good but not as edgy as an A-Class that must break away from the bus pass generation into something closer to the Y-Gen futurists, and Volkswagen previews a more car-like Tiguan crossover with its Cross Coupe.Hyundai has a preview of a new flagship coupe called the i-oniq - did it mean ironic? - Kia shows a Track'ster that will become the new Soul, Honda shows the CR-V design that's coming to Australia, and the pocket rocket Ford Fiesta ST breaks cover with a confirmation for Australia.The action and excitement at Geneva goes on and on, and that is - really - the best thing about the show. Detroit in January hinted that the word's carmakers are finally emerging from the austerity and fear of the global financial crisis and the big-spending effort in Geneva confirms it, with good news for almost everyone from Euro billionaires to ordinary Aussie families.PG PICKS:1. Bentley EXP 9 F.Only one word fits - Ugly. With a big capital U. The hulking British bulldog might tick the boxes for cashed-up families, but this SUV makes a LandCruiser look elegant, and subtle.2. Giugiaro Brivido.Exactly what you expect to see in Geneva, as designers go all-out to impress the crowds - and each other. Not for production but a great looker with huge gullwing doors.3. Range Rover Evoque Convertible. A certainty for production as Land Rover milks its most successful design - ever. This one will never go bush but is being fast tracked for Double Bay and Toorak.4. Ssangyong XIV-2. Who knew the South Koreans could trump the Euros with a design that combines SUV practicality with a coupe-convertible body? A big surprise.5. Toyota FT-Bh: Just when you thought the uglies were done, Toyota lobbed with this. If it's the future for hybrid cars then sales will be slow. Very slow.

Facelifts got started with the ultra-rich and now their favourite family car, the Rolls-Royce Phantom, has also been for a bit of surgery. The Phantom II is revealed at the Geneva show with the first visual tweaks since the $1.1 million loungeroom-on-wheels hit the road in 2003. But it's the mechanical changes, and a 10 per cent improvement to the car's considerable thirst, which will give potential buyers the permission they need to buy again after the global financial crisis. The car's CO2 emissions also drop from a nasty 388 grams/kilometre to a less unacceptable 347. The Phantom II models - sedan, coupe and convertible - now come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, full LED headlights (claimed as a world first), as well as new bumpers and re-styled lights. Rolls-Royce is part of the BMW Group and that means the Phantom II now gets the all-round camera viewing system first fitted to the 7 Series, as well as updated satnav and adaptive headlamps. "These cars are timeless in their appeal, but technology moves rapidly and we cannot afford to stand still," says Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

But don't expect much change on the $1.5 million ultra-luxury car, apart from some LED running lights and new bumpers.But the Phantom could lose its giant round lamps, as the ones on the test car are stickers.

In fact, sales were up an amazing 31 per cent, with a total of 3538 cars sold globally during the year.The previous record of 3347 cars was set in 1978 during the Silver Shadow II era.Strong sales growth was reported across the globe, with notable results seen in Asia Pacific (up 47 per cent), North America (up 17 per cent) and the Middle East (up 23 per cent). China and the United States were the most significant individual markets.The United Kingdom performed well, reporting 30 per cent growth in the year. In Continental Europe, Germany and Russia were the largest growth markets, each more than doubling sales compared to 2010."We had an outstanding year in 2011 and we should take a moment to reflect on this Great British success story," said Torsten Muller, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars."Our business is in excellent shape. We are developing our dealer network, moving into new markets like South America, expanding our manufacturing operation in West Sussex to meet global demand and have plans to develop our product range."At the core of this extraordinary success is a dedicated, committed and, above all, passionate workforce." The company's portfolio includes the pinnacle Phantom family products and the more recently-launched Ghost range.Interest in Ghost  including Ghost Extended Wheelbase, launched to wide acclaim in April accounted for the lion's share of 2011 growth.2011 also marked a record for the Rolls-Royce Bespoke personalisation programme, a service with Rolls-Royce's legendary hand-craftsmanship and attention to detail at its core.Nearly every Phantom family model leaving the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood came with some element of bespoke personalisation, from unique paint colours, interior detailing and embroidery, to exquisite whole vehicle designs including champagne sets, humidors and picnic sets.Last September, Rolls-Royce announced plans to expand its manufacturing plant at Goodwood, with over 1000 people employed on site.This will help the company meet further growth in worldwide sales and satisfy demand for highly personalised Ghost and Phantom models. Expansion work will begin in February.

The McLaren MP4-12C tops the list of Dad's dream cars.

The newest stretched Roller is testing in England after its public unveiling at the New York motor show. It's the Ghost, which is headed for the same sort of model stretch as the larger Phantom flagship, starting with a long-wheelbase model and eventually including a coupe and convertible.

The show includes artworks and objects that tell the story of motoring pioneer Lord John Montagu - editor of The Car Illustrated magazine, his secretary and mistress, Eleanor Thornton, and the sculptures of her that led to the Spirit. The first Rolls-Royces did not have radiator mascots, but many owners commissioned their own to decorate their cars. Montagu had Charles Sykes create one for his Silver Ghost, and the sculptor modelled The Whisper -- a figurine of Eleanor Thornton in fluttering drapery, with her finger to her lips symbolising the secret affair. It was one of the more dignified personal mascots of the day. By 1910 Rolls-Royce had become concerned that many owners were mounting vulgar mascots to their cars, and managing director Claude Johnson commissioned Sykes to design a mascot that could be "the spirit of the Rolls-Royce". Sykes again used Eleanor as the inspiration for the figure that was first known as the Spirit of Speed and later became the Spirit of Ecstasy, which has since decorated nearly every Rolls-Royce. (Notable exceptions are Queen Elizabeth's mascot of St George slaying a dragon, and the late Princess Margaret, who chose a Pegasus.) However, Eleanor did not live long enough to see how enduring her image became. She was killed in 1915 when the ship on which she and Lord Montagu were sailing to India was torpedoed by a German submarine. Montagu survived and is said to have grieved in secret for the rest of life. The exhibition at Palace House - the Montagu family home - will feature The Whisper and other Spirit of Ecstasy figurines, and special edition covers created by Sykes for The Car Illustrated magazine, among other items. The mascot - which is also nicknamed Ellie in her Nightie - has been through many changes over the years, several of which were prompted by the lowering height of the cars. A kneeling version was produced briefly in the 1930s, but was later replaced by a smaller standing mascot. In the US she was made to bow a little lower to better protect the car bonnets. On recent cars, the Spirit is spring loaded and retracts into the bonnet to deter thieves.