Classy Chassis

When money is no object

Most of the auto ads this year feature no-nonsense comparisons of m.p.g. ratings and maintenance costs. But shameless luxury is still available to the unabashed motoring materialist. As Ford and Chrysler executives last week nervously waited for buyer response to such new, fuel-efficient small cars as the Ford Escort and Dodge Aries, automotive big spenders could anticipate the arrival of two lavish examples of conspicuous consumption on wheels.

At Rolls-Royce, new meaning has been given to the term carriage trade. The venerable British firm last week showed off its new 1981 model, the Silver Spirit, which runs headlong into current automotive trends by being lower and wider than its predecessor. This is the automaker's first new four-door model in 15 years. In an understated manner, Rolls-Royce likes to boast about the subtle engineering changes in its vehicles; among other things, the Silver Spirit features a new digital-display clock that replaces the famous ticking one, which according to a famous old Rolls ad was the loudest thing one could hear as the car purred along at 60 m.p.h. But if you have to ask about the gas mileage, you cannot afford to buy one; the Spirit gets between 10 and 14 m.p.g. The car is priced to sell in Britain for $119,000, and will undoubtedly cost several thousand dollars more when it is introduced in the U.S. next April.

American Express, meanwhile, is advertising in its Christmas catalogue an auto that puts the fictional solid-gold Cadillac to shame--a two-seat DeLorean sports car electroplated in 24-karat gold. Cost: $85,000. A new company founded by former General Motors Executive John DeLorean will build the car in Northern Ireland. Gushes the American Express ad: "The car of the future is so spectacular that it surpasses the imagination."

Shaped like a flying wedge, the DeLorean appears to exceed the 55-m.p.h. speed limit while standing still. It is expected to get 22 m.p.g., about the same as a diesel-powered 1981 Cadillac Brougham. Entry to its luxuriously appointed interior is through gull-wing doors that tilt up instead of swinging out. The 24-karat car will pose some special maintenance problems. Owners wishing to get any dents knocked out will probably have to return the damaged part to the factory, where the bumps will be pounded out and the piece refinished in gold.

Although the DeLorean golden dream machine cannot be delivered until June 1981, seven people have put down the required $10,000 deposit. American Express offers to let customers place the remainder on their credit cards. Drivers who still do not like to think about m.p.g. but are not up to a gold DeLorean might consider the stainless-steel model. It will cost about $20,000. sb

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