LOT 275
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Limousine Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner Chassis no. LELW100 Engine no. L99E
Sold for US$53,760 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 275
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Limousine Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Limousine
Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis no. LELW100
Engine no. L99E
Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis no. LELW100
Engine no. L99E
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 Paris, France
*A highly customized machine from new
*Original left-hand drive car
*Copies of factory records on file
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. LELW100 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 ordered with a 7-passenger limousine crafted by H.J. Mulliner. Built for Dorothy M Rice, wife of explorer A. Hamilton-Rice, residing in Paris, France. Ordered in left drive with power steering, Continental configuration, the car featured P100 headlights with Marchal units, high frequency horns, speaker and radio, and a roof luggage rack and cover for touring. Delivered in May of 1956, it appears Mrs. Rice kept her Rolls for about a decade before it was a Mr. J. Collyer of New York City. From NYC, LELW100 would continue westward to Harold Dickerson of Newport Beach, California, who acquired the car at the end of February, 1975. Later in the collections of Roy Carver and Dale Dillard and restored at some point in the last three decades, it entered the present ownership about a decade ago and has been on static display ever since. Given its long-term storage, mechanical recommissioning is recommended prior to operation. A lovely and elegant machine, once sorted this will no doubt be a fine touring automobile.
Single Downdraft Carburetor
Approximately 125bhp
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Delivered new to Paris, France
*A highly customized machine from new
*Original left-hand drive car
*Copies of factory records on file
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. LELW100 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 ordered with a 7-passenger limousine crafted by H.J. Mulliner. Built for Dorothy M Rice, wife of explorer A. Hamilton-Rice, residing in Paris, France. Ordered in left drive with power steering, Continental configuration, the car featured P100 headlights with Marchal units, high frequency horns, speaker and radio, and a roof luggage rack and cover for touring. Delivered in May of 1956, it appears Mrs. Rice kept her Rolls for about a decade before it was a Mr. J. Collyer of New York City. From NYC, LELW100 would continue westward to Harold Dickerson of Newport Beach, California, who acquired the car at the end of February, 1975. Later in the collections of Roy Carver and Dale Dillard and restored at some point in the last three decades, it entered the present ownership about a decade ago and has been on static display ever since. Given its long-term storage, mechanical recommissioning is recommended prior to operation. A lovely and elegant machine, once sorted this will no doubt be a fine touring automobile.
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