1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith LWB Touring Limousine

Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner

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

*Delivered new to New York City
*Documented by copies of factory build records
*A rare and coachbuilt limousine
*Original left-hand drive US market car

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

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.

There are few cars as majestic as a Rolls-Royce in the immediate post-war era as exemplified by this handsome and graceful example. LALW30 was delivered new in the rare left-hand drive form in which it remains to this day. The 'L' prefix of this number denotes the authenticity of this sinistral arrangement. According to copies of the factory records, the car was built for the American market when new, and as completed was imported and retailed through the J.S. Inskip for its first owner, magazine publish Carll Tucker of New York City.

Ordered with luxurious limousine coachwork by H.J. Mulliner, it was finished in black over beige leather and fitted with an automatic transmission, foglamps, bonnet locks, white wall tires, a cigarette case, and—fittingly for a magazine man—a notebook in the armrest. Delivered new in April of 1953, it spent its early life shuttling between New York City and Mount Kisco, just north of NYC. The ensuing two decades are not known, but by 1971 it was in the collection of Rexford T. Parker at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. It appears that Mr. Parker either moved to Los Angeles or the car was sold to a Richard T. Parker of Los Angeles in that same year. Richard Parker would be recorded as keeping the car through to at least 1986. It is understood that the car was restored in 1990-1—at which time it was painted silver with black fenders—with the engine rebuilt in 1991 (records of work completed no longer accompany the car). It was a year later that the car entered the collection of the antepenultimate owner, Roy Judd of Hermosa Beach, California.

Showing the car occasionally, Judd would keep the car a subsequent 17 years before selling it to New Jersey Rolls enthusiast John Cory. In November 2008, it was acquired by the present owner. It has been off the road on static display since. Still showing nicely with ample presence, after some recommissioning it would be a lovely touring car.