Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 15
1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Saloon Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner Chassis no. LCLW9 Engine no. L9C
Sold for US$84,000 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 15
1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Saloon Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Online Auction|25 October 2021, 13:00 EDT|Greenwich, Hagerty Garage + Social
1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Saloon
Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis no. LCLW9
Engine no. L9C
Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis no. LCLW9
Engine no. L9C
4,887cc F-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Carburetor
Approximately 125bhp
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Exquisite Rolls-Royce
*Original left-hand drive US market car
*Copies of factory records on file
Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.
THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH
Rolls-Royce's first post-war model, the Silver Wraith debuted in late 1946 and employed a chassis similar to that of the Silver Dawn and MkVI Bentley, though with a 7" longer wheelbase at 10' 7". The Wraith, however, was only intended for traditional coachbuilt bodies rather than the MkVI's pioneering 'standard steel' bodywork. Only the bore and stroke dimensions were shared with the pre-war overhead-valve Wraith engine, the major advantage of this 'F-head' layout being its large valves and generous water jacketing around the valve seats. Manufacture of the short-wheelbase Wraith ceased in 1952, with a total production of 1,144; the long-wheelbase version continued until the introduction of the Phantom V in 1959, by which time 639 chassis had been completed.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
There are few cars as majestic as a Rolls-Royce in the immediate post-war era as exemplified by this handsome and graceful example. LCLW9 as prefixed by 'L' decodes as a car that was delivered new in the rare left-hand drive form in which it remains to this day, while the additional 'L' in the middle of the VIN confirms it to have been a long wheelbase series car.
According to copies of the factory records, which reside with the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, the chassis was originally fitted with a very unusual Freestone & Webb cabriolet body until 1955 when that coachwork transferred to chassis WLE 27. At that point it was fitted with this this supremely elegant H.J. Mulliner body built to their design 7356.
The same documentary information, confirms that the car's original owner is listed as B. Davis, and that the car was supplied to the USA market. By the mid-1990s it was offered for sale at a Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, when it is described in a Sports Car Market review as being finished in Dark Blue and Black paintwork with a blue interior. It arrived in the present ownership in 2010.
Prior to, or since that time, it has clearly undergone some attention to the aesthetics, being repainted in black over red, and receiving a new interior in red also, a particularly striking and attractive scheme. Of note on inspection is the presence of both a sunroof for the driver, but also a 'moon roof' panel above the passengers in the rear, creating a nice light and airy cabin for all. And, while the driver may do the hard work, in the rear the 'moonlit' passengers can stretch out in the long wheelbase cabin and rest their cocktails on the picnic tables. Other appealing features of the Rolls are electric windows all around, and the fact that it retains its period radio fascia.
From its desirable P100 headlights to its sweptback tail, and with its commodious and well-appointed cabin, there are few boxes this lovely Silver Wraith doesn't tick!
Single Downdraft Carburetor
Approximately 125bhp
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Exquisite Rolls-Royce
*Original left-hand drive US market car
*Copies of factory records on file
Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.
THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH
Rolls-Royce's first post-war model, the Silver Wraith debuted in late 1946 and employed a chassis similar to that of the Silver Dawn and MkVI Bentley, though with a 7" longer wheelbase at 10' 7". The Wraith, however, was only intended for traditional coachbuilt bodies rather than the MkVI's pioneering 'standard steel' bodywork. Only the bore and stroke dimensions were shared with the pre-war overhead-valve Wraith engine, the major advantage of this 'F-head' layout being its large valves and generous water jacketing around the valve seats. Manufacture of the short-wheelbase Wraith ceased in 1952, with a total production of 1,144; the long-wheelbase version continued until the introduction of the Phantom V in 1959, by which time 639 chassis had been completed.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
There are few cars as majestic as a Rolls-Royce in the immediate post-war era as exemplified by this handsome and graceful example. LCLW9 as prefixed by 'L' decodes as a car that was delivered new in the rare left-hand drive form in which it remains to this day, while the additional 'L' in the middle of the VIN confirms it to have been a long wheelbase series car.
According to copies of the factory records, which reside with the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, the chassis was originally fitted with a very unusual Freestone & Webb cabriolet body until 1955 when that coachwork transferred to chassis WLE 27. At that point it was fitted with this this supremely elegant H.J. Mulliner body built to their design 7356.
The same documentary information, confirms that the car's original owner is listed as B. Davis, and that the car was supplied to the USA market. By the mid-1990s it was offered for sale at a Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, when it is described in a Sports Car Market review as being finished in Dark Blue and Black paintwork with a blue interior. It arrived in the present ownership in 2010.
Prior to, or since that time, it has clearly undergone some attention to the aesthetics, being repainted in black over red, and receiving a new interior in red also, a particularly striking and attractive scheme. Of note on inspection is the presence of both a sunroof for the driver, but also a 'moon roof' panel above the passengers in the rear, creating a nice light and airy cabin for all. And, while the driver may do the hard work, in the rear the 'moonlit' passengers can stretch out in the long wheelbase cabin and rest their cocktails on the picnic tables. Other appealing features of the Rolls are electric windows all around, and the fact that it retains its period radio fascia.
From its desirable P100 headlights to its sweptback tail, and with its commodious and well-appointed cabin, there are few boxes this lovely Silver Wraith doesn't tick!
Saleroom notices
Please note that the rear right fender of the car was damaged in transit. This will be repaired at Bonhams expense, for further details please contact the department.
Additional information
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