Ex-Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint-Laurent

1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Limousine

Coachwork by Hooper & Co

4,566cc F-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Carburetor
Approximately 125bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Richly appointed inside and out
*Sold new to Eli Lilly and company heir Josiah Lilly in Florida
*Owned by Yves Saint-Laurent's partner Pierre Bergé
*Superior waftability

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. Powering Rolls-Royce's post-war range was a new 4,257cc six-cylinder engine of cast-iron, monobloc construction with aluminum cylinder head featuring overhead inlet and side exhaust valves. 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. A four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh was standard initially, an automatic option (for export models only at first) not becoming available until 1952, at which time the engine was enlarged to 4,566cc and a long-wheelbase (11' 1") version introduced. Manufacture of the short-wheelbase 'Wraith ceased in 1952, with a total production of 1,144; the long-wheelbase version continued, latterly with a 4.9-liter engine, until the introduction of the Phantom V in 1959, by which time 639 chassis had been completed.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

The last word in motoring luxury in its day, this wonderful Silver Wraith was previously owned by French industrialist, Pierre Bergé, the lifelong partner of celebrated haute couturier, Yves Saint-Laurent. Chassis number 'LWVH87' was manufactured in June 1953 and sold new in Florida, USA to a Mr Josiah K Lilly. The car was delivered with 'Teviot III' limousine coachwork (design number '8283', body number '9820') by Hooper & Co, London-based carriage makers to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII and arguably the finest of all British coachbuilders. An example of the then fashionable 'Empress Line', razor-edge style, it is one of only 50 Teviot III limousines out of a total of 468 Silver Wraiths bodied by Hooper. A rare left-hand drive model, the car is finished in black/Bordeaux with red-carpeted beige leather interior, the latter featuring an internal division and cocktail bar to the rear compartment.

Eventually the Silver Wraith returned to Europe and was purchased in France by Pierre Bergé for Yves Saint-Laurent. The Rolls was kept at the partners' Normandy chateaux, where it served as their personal transportation and was also used for fashion shows and photo shoots. In 1998 the car passed to Mr Secordel, a well-known member of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club, who retained the previous Calvados-region registration '11 SH 14' that it had been given while resident at Saint-Laurent and Bergé's chateaux. The accompanying history file contains bills dating from 1994 to 2005 totaling more than 35,000 euros, mainly from recognized marque specialists Sauzeau Automobiles in France.

Henri Chambon, one of France's most celebrated classic car collectors, bought the Silver Wraith through Etude de Provence in June 2005. In Chambon's collection, the Rolls was regularly serviced and exercised by his personal mechanic with work completed including having the radiator and steering box rebuilt, the suspension overhauled, an electric cooling fan fitted, and the fitment of new shock absorbers and exhaust collector. Records of the work completed, regrettably, no longer accompany the car. The current owner acquired the car from Bonhams February 2009 Paris Sale. On static display since being acquired, mechanical recommissioning is recommended prior to active use.

This celebrity-owned Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith possesses unique coachbuilt style and is sure delight both on the road and concours field.