1998 Rolls Royce Silver Seraph

Description

To see additional images of this Rolls Royce Silver Seraph, check out our image gallery HERE

• Unsold at auction March 2024- Please click here
• Please contact Evoke for more information / to arrange a viewing
• Only 1,570 Seraphs were produced
• £4,000 recently spent at a main dealer
• Enigmatic background
• The cherished number plate remains with the Seraph

A Rolls Royce undeniably has something that other cars lack. Carpet deep enough to hide Donald Trump’s ego in. Enough wood and leather to get the Green Party kicking-off. Performance and ride that leave you speechless. Letting your heart rule your head has never been so rewarding.

Background

It had been 20 years since Rolls Royce had produced an all-new vehicle. The Silver Seraph was worth the wait. The brief was tricky. Produce a car which would appeal to a younger, more dynamic buyer without distancing Rolls’ existing customers. Make it outstanding too as this could be the last ‘true’ Rolls Royce to leave Crewe.

That proved to be true. In 2001 Rolls Royce announced the Silver Seraph was to be the ‘Last of Line’ models. Rare and exclusive, the hand-built Rolls Royce Seraph was only produced between 1998 and 2002 with a total production run of only 1,570 cars. Credible sources suggest there are only around 200 currently registered in the UK.

First registered 16th February 1998. Then it gets interesting. Our vendor tells us:

“This Silver Seraph has picked up the affectionate name ‘The Sultan’.

Documentation shows that the build country was for Brunei. The first two services were carried out by Rolls Royce Diplomatic Services of London.

This hints to the car being ordered new and supplied to a certain Royal Family. Which makes sense as they were effectively keeping both Bentley & Rolls Royce afloat during this time. This is the last RR to have been born out of the Crewe production facility before BMW purchased the rights to the RR name and started manufacturing a new line of vehicles”.

Mechanicals

• 5.4 litre V12 engine
• 322 horsepower
• 361 lb ft of torque delivered at just 3,900 rpm
• 0 to 60 in 6.9 seconds
• More importantly only 2.6 seconds from 30 to 50

The V12 engine is coupled to an adaptive five-speed transmission.

A new suspension system gives the Silver Seraph a rapid, sophisticated driving experience. The transmission continuously monitors both road and driver responses and selects gear-change thresholds that are appropriate.

The suspension features a wider track, stiffened springs, computer-controlled dampers built on an independent, double wishbone system. Four-channel ABS brings the Rolls Royce to rest from 60 mph in an incredible 3.0 seconds, if required. Completing the package is Automatic Stability Control which can detect skidding and aquaplaning.

Our vendor advises us:

“Initially the car was supplied with a speedo in KM; more echoes of Brunei? This Seraph has covered c.69,000 miles. The speedo head was replaced at around 30,000 miles. This is documented in the service book with an exact date and mileage. Lots of bills and old MOTs come with the car. The prior owner appears to have lived in Lancashire and spent fortunes on the car including but not limited to:

• bonnet release mechanism
• ignition coil
• window regulators
• door locks
• new electric aerial
• alarm system
• alternator”

He continues;

“I have recently spent over £4,000 on the car at a Bentley Main Agent in Bristol. This was to investigate and repair an EML light/small misfire and the order of works was as follows:

• ran diagnostics
• replaced rotor caps & arms on each cylinder bank
• ran a leak test
• stripped engine
• replaced inlet manifold gasket”

Inside

As you’d expect, the Seraph comes lavishly specced. The images tell it better than words can, look. Here are just a few highlights:

• Black Leather multi-function steering wheel
• Connolly hide leather trim with claret piping
• Claret Connolly pleated door inserts
• Deep, pile carpets
• Cruise Control
• Heated And Electrically Adjustable Front Seats
• Four-Position Memory Function
• Dual-Zone Climate Control
• Burr Wood Rear Picnic Tables
• Heated Rear seats
• Rear seats are also independently adjustable
• Six-disc CD changer

To ensure individuality you could choose 23 shades of Connolly leather for the upholstery and 16 different tints for the lambswool carpeting.

It is satisfying to know that it took around 18 days to complete a full set of wood veneer trim for the hand-trimmed interior. To achieve consistency every wooden surface is from the same tree.

Our vendor advises us:

“The interior is near perfect. It has the original Blaupunkt radio & cassette player along with a 6-CD changer hidden in the centre arm rest. It also has a Motorola mobile phone which pops out on a retractable holder of the centre console.

This Seraph will be supplied with 2 sets of keys which is significant because you cannot simply get a new key programmed if one is lost. The car would need a whole new immobilizer module fitting with an anticipated substantial cost”.

Outside

The Seraph came with the option of 22 exterior colours, either as monotone or two-tone finish. This one comes in Special Order Diamond Black over Claret coachwork.

The car has been kept garaged by the vendor during his ownership, to protect the precious bodywork. However it’s important to remember that ‘The Sultan’ has very recently celebrated its 26th birthday so some small age related marks are to be expected; the next custodian may want to treat the car to an exterior detail. This vehicle has been enjoyed and used as intended, as opposed to sitting in a private collection never to see the light of day – and we love that about it!

Seraph – a celestial being of the highest order, associated especially with light, ardour and purity. Rolls Royce definitely nailed that.

The otherworldly inspiration probably stems from the design cues derived from the 50s Silver Cloud. Sweeping waistline, large cabin and rounded boot compartment. Another keynote feature is the elegantly shouldered waistline, plateauing around the front door handles.

The all-steel body is 65% percent stiffer with 50/50 weight distribution. A 10-stage anti-corrosion pre-treatment as well as comprehensive stone-chip protection to the underside provides a neat level of reassurance that wasn’t present in earlier Rolls Royce models

Helpful security features included a volumetric and perimeter alarm system, an inertia fuel shutoff, driver-only unlock function and walk-up courtesy headlamps. Nearly forgot; the Flying Lady retracts in the event of a collision.

Summary

The Silver Seraph was the last classic Rolls-Royce in the mould of the Silver Clouds and Shadows. Only 1570 were built between 1998 and 2002. You’ll struggle now to find one.

With an interesting back story, this Seraph in special order colour is a one-off. Is it one of the best in a rare market at the moment? Probably. The buying decision is dead easy.

Its current counterpart, the Rolls Royce Ghost, has a base price of nearly £250,000. Given the condition of this Silver Seraph, buying this rare and collectable classic model for a fraction of the price makes blindingly good sense, as well as money in the bank.

Vehicle Location: Swindon, Wiltshire SN25 – it’s the responsibility of the winning bidder to make collection / transportation arrangements directly with the vendors.

Would like to arrange a viewing or have a question about this Rolls Royce Silver Seraph? Please contact us at team@evoke-classics.com and we will speak to the vendor on your behalf.

Guide Prices?

We’re different. But you know that. And we’re always honest. In a sector where no two classics are same, how does anyone put a ‘guide’.

Well, everyone knows the broad value of classic, let’s all be honest. So, we don’t need to tell you what you already know, do we.

The ‘market’ decides and the old cliché that ‘it’s worth what someone wants to pay’ is no less true. So why kid everyone!

But, because we are different, if it really does matter to you, that’s fine, we want you to be happy. Just drop us a line at team@evoke-classics.com and one of us will be delighted to get back to you, it’s what we do.

Tedious but it’s vital you read this, please.

We will always strive to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available. However, we can’t claim to be perfect. Your own analysis is very important, and we are here to help and answer any and all queries you may have prior to purchase.

We offer and positively encourage buyers to view or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding.

If we do take a physical, as opposed to a remote, look at any of the vehicles on our platform, they are not those of a qualified vehicle inspector or other professional. Nor do they include a test drive unless expressly stated.

As with all vehicles of a certain age, localised paint repairs are common. This specifically applies with classics.

So, please, unless we state explicitly to the contrary, please assume that classic vehicles on our platform could have had remedial bodywork of any kind at some point in its life.

Two final comments on images and photos.

The vast majority are supplied by vendors. Camera technology has and continues to improve significantly, but please note and understand that image and sound quality does vary. If you would like vendors to provide more images, please ask us and we will contact the vendor for you.

If you are at all unsure, just ask us. It is what we are here for.

Finally, finally, finally. Please note that vehicles are sold as seen and a returns policy is not applicable. This is the norm for used items acquired at auction.

Our Terms and Conditions are here and our FAQS can be found here or contact us: team@evoke-classics.com

Got one you’d like to sell? Please feel free to get in touch to have a no obligation chat with us: Contact The Evoke Team