1985 Rolls Royce Silver Spur Jankel Limousine from North America - Comments

Replaced Air Pump, Starter, Alternator, drive shaft, trunnions, speed control bellows, brakes and rotors, AC compressor, headlight relay (twice), all at 48,000 to 55,000 miles. Just completely replaced/refurbished cooling system and electrical system. Simply caught up on a lot of neglected maintenance from previous owner. I am the second owner and this limousine has always been in private service.

This is, without question, the most elegant short stretch limousine on the road. It is quick, handles like a standard Spur, and able to park in a standard shopping center space. The long wheel base, coupled with the very comfortable seating, yields a most luxurious ride in both the front and in the rear. The finish, wood, and spacious cabin are the very epitome of the elegance and panache that is Rolls Royce. Everywhere we go, we get a thumbs up from everyone. I have two other Rolls, An 89 Silver Spur, which I just sold last month, and my 85 SIlver Spirit which I have just refurbished. I have 10 automobiles, and my wife insists that I part with one of the Rolls, yet when she wants to go on a trip out of town, she invariably chooses the limousine over her Cadillac Seville. I use the limo primarily for my kids' activities and the thumbs up we get when I drive his basketball team to a tournament are worth the operating costs, which are not inconsequential. I calculate the operating costs for this Jankel Limousine at about $6,000 per year, exclusive of gas and insurance.

I enjoy both driving and being driven in this magnificent automobile. I still cannot believe that I prefer to drive this limousine over most of my other cars. Of course being able to put up the dividers and driving in a comfortable silence while the kids are rocking in the back is in itself worth every dollar!

The previous owner spent a great deal of money maintaining the appearance of this limousine, but disregarded much of the mechanical preventative maintenance.

Looks and drives like a new car.

The last car I loved as well was my love-hate affair with a Maserati Quattroporte. The lack of any dealer/manufacturer support for that car ended that love affair.

Dear me, all these thumbs everywhere you go in your RR.

Are you sure they may not be another finger?

And btw, do you have any Grey Poupon?

Thanks for sharing your experience and opinion on your 1985 Rolls (Jankel) Limousine. I am considering purchasing a 1987 that I have found, but it will require a great deal of restoration work as it has 135,000 miles and the interior leather is also badly cracked. There are two things I hope you will help me with: Authenticity and Value.

First, the VIN number report (like CarFax except NADA) does NOT indicate this is a limousine, but reports as if it is a normal 4 to 6 passenger Rolls. If you have run such a report on your Jankel, can you tell me if it is similar or does it say "limousine"? If you haven't and don't mind telling me your VIN number I could run the report and see.

My concern, of course, is that this might NOT be a real Jankel and they are worth a lot more than aftermarket conversions.

Second is "value". NADA reports a value from $76,000 to $152,500 for low to high retail with average retail as $111,200 for the 1985 model and about $4000 higher for the 1987 I am considering, but I feel these values may be extremely HIGH. If they really do fetch those prices the total restoration I am considering will be far more viable, but if those prices are as far off as I fear they are I might be better off buying a lower mileage car that did not need the extensive restoration. I found one in Japan with only a little over 30,000 miles that looks great and is offered at about $53,000 which is why I think the VIN number report is wrong. I would think they would actually be higher in Japan. Can you help me with valuation by sharing your recent purchase details? (price, mileage, condition, etc.) You can reply directly to me at lilfish405@hotmail.com Thanks.

Dude you have to remember that these cars are usually purchased, then added onto. They wouldn't change the VIN at a limo factory, so the licensing office still thinks it's a standard sedan.

Good to hear our limousines are still well regarded in the US. If I can help with your queries please advise.

Lorne Stoddart, Jankel Armouring Limited, Weybridge, England lorne@jankel.com.

It would be interesting to compare your limo with my '76 Cadillac Fleetwood Seventy-Five Limousine (listed in this carsurvey site as a '75). It would be nice to take photos of both of them together!

Mine has a 151.5" wheelbase and is 252.2" long (just over 21 feet). 500-cu.-in engine. A big, heavy (6,040 lbs) and smooth-riding limo! Has two (front/rear) climate control systems, rear jump seats/footrests, power glass partition window and rear compartment radio controls.

I cannot comment about the Jankel, but I have owned both a 1962 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II and a 1972 Fleetwood 75 Sedan. The Fleetwood was very comfortable, but not in the same league as the Rolls. I have difficulty describing it, but the Rolls seemed to "command" the road (and the driver) whereas the Caddy just dealt with it. Being an American, I am used to driving cars the way I want. The SC resisted that. It instructed ME how to drive it (and I'm better for it). Also, believe this or not, the Rolls was WAY quieter at speed. I had it up to 100 mph and could hold a normal conversation. The Cadillac started to have some wind noise at about 80. Yes, I knew I was breaking the law, but the statute of limitations has run out.

I have taken my '76 Cadillac Limo up to 95 mph. and didn't notice any disturbing wind noise. Maybe a rubber seal or something on your '72 was cracked, broken or missing. At 95 mph, my limo felt like it was going only 70 mph and was quiet even at that speed. The extremely long wheelbase and heavy weight allowed it to float down the road!