West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptional example of this originally southern California ordered and very rare 1999 Rolls Royce V12 Silver Seraph in this very desirable and highly striking color combination of 'Solid Black' exterior paint with a 'Tan' leather interior and with a virtually flawless and simply stunning 'Tan' color leather seats with 'Black' piping! An uncompromising head-turner which never fails to get compliments from all who see her!
The Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph was built by Rolls-Royce Motors in Crewe from 1998 to 2002. First unveiled in 1998 at the Geneva Motor Show, it replaced the Silver Spur, which ended production in 1997/98. Silver Seraph production was discontinued when the license to use the Rolls-Royce marque was later sold to BMW, which began manufacture of an unrelated line of vehicles under a new corporation, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2003. Aside from the radiator grille, badges and wheels, the Seraph was externally identical to the Bentley Arnage, sharing both its platform and body shell but it was powered by a BMW M73 5.4 L aluminium alloy V12 engine coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission as opposed to the Arnages' twin turbo V8 engine, making it the first twelve-cylinder Rolls-Royce since the 1939 Phantom III. Standard equipment included digital engine management, adaptive ride control and anti-lock brakes. Inside, the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph and the Bentley Arnage were similar yet distinct. The Seraph's gear selector was column-mounted and gauges followed a traditional Rolls-Royce layout. In both cars, the seats and dashboard were upholstered in Connolly Leather, with dashboard trim and folding picnic trays for rear passengers faced with glossy burl walnut veneer.
The Seraph had a top speed of 225 km/h or 140 mph. Importantly to Rolls Royce enthusiasts and collectors, all Seraphs were hand-built at the Rolls-Royce factory in Crewe, England. The car had a base price of 155,175 GBP in the UK and $220,695 (over $350K according the cpi inflation calculator in 2020 dollars!) in the US. It was second in cost and exclusivity only to the Rolls-Royce Corniche. A total of only 1,570 Silver Seraphs were produced before manufacture ceased in 2002.
This particular example was always serviced primarily only at Rolls Royce/Bentley dealerships or independents specialists since new, initially for many years at the 'Symbolic Motor Company' of La Jolla, CA and in most recent years at 'O'Gara Coach', the Rolls Royce dealership of Beverly Hills, CA. The car has very striking original 'Solid Black' exterior paint and beautiful 'Tan' Connolly leather seats with 'Black' piping, burl walnut veneer picnic tables, burl walnut veneer instrument panel with cross banding and boxwood inlay, driver and passenger airbags, electric tilt steering column, electronically controlled suspension, front and rear heated seats, automatic headlamp system and electronically memorized front seats with lumbar supports.
Finished in this highly striking color combination paint with Rolls Royce polished hub cap wheels and with all the chromework including the Rolls Royce grille in absolutely outstanding and virtually flawless condition! The paint still reflects like glass and is as when new and the original and magnificent burled walnut woodwork is also in absolutely flawless condition throughout. All the power options and electric windows are working as they should and the air conditioning system blows cold air!
This obviously always very well maintained Rolls Royce engine runs extremely strong and these rare V12 engine cars are not slow - the engine purrs like a kitten and there is plenty of power to pull away at the lights and it cruises at high speeds with absolute ease. The transmission shift is almost imperceptibly smooth and the temperature always remains cool. The Silver Seraph is truly a sensual car that you can drive with your fingertips, smooth and relatively silent, it's thoroughly therapeutic for both drivers and passengers. The delightful precision action of the electrically powered steering column gear change and the ultra light weighted power steering allows one to park this 5000lbs of pure luxury with literally one finger and this long but actually quite slender car is anything but ponderous thanks to it's torque and brilliant turning radius! The ride is truly luxurious from a high riding position and the soft feel of the Rolls Royce Silver Seraph is like no other car on the road. This particular model drives as when brand new and must be driven to be fully appreciated.
Without a doubt you will look long and hard to find a finer example of this very rare (1 of only 1,570 ever built over the 4 year production run) Crewe built Rolls Royce Silver Seraph, an obviously always garaged with absolutely no issues example! The Carfax report confirms it's regular service history and mileage over the years.
This is one of the last in the original line of cars hand built in the legendary Rolls Royce Crewe factory with a quality and craftsmanship that far surpasses that of today's mass produced models. Finished in this striking and classic color combination and complete with it's original owner's handbooks, manuals and factory tools; this is indeed a rare opportunity to own a piece of classic automotive history, from a time when Rolls Royce was truly building the world's finest automobiles - a great investment for the Rolls Royce enthusiast or collector or simply an outstandingly striking example of a very rare and unusual Rolls Royce for the discerning luxury classic car owner!
