1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Limousine

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

*One of only 16 examples built by James Young
*A fine, older restoration
*Original left-hand drive car
*The last word in automotive luxury

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 coach-built 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. LHLW39, 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.

This Silver Wraith is made even more special by its elegant aluminum coachwork by James Young - body number '9009', style reference 'WRM 35 S' - the latter being a model of which just 16 examples were made, only four of these, this example included, featuring two occasional folding seats to the rear compartment. An identical sister car carrying body number '1868' was exhibited at the 1956 Earls Court Motor Show. This example was delivered new in April of 1959, to R. Herrera. According to records provided by the Rolls-Royce Foundation, by 1969, LHLW39 was in downtown Baltimore, Maryland in the garage of Andre Schneebeli. Two years later that Rolls had moved to the Midwest in the care of Skokie, Illinois enthusiast Arthur Lieberman. Mr. Lieberman kept the car at least through the late 1970s.

There is no recorded history beyond that. At some point, a decade or so ago the Rolls was restored to its presentation of Brown over Gold with orange-brown leather both front and rear. Joining the current owner's collection in 2014, the Rolls has been minimally enjoyed since acquisition and as such will require mechanical recommissioning prior to actively wafting about. A unique opportunity to acquire an exceedingly rare and special machine, it the perfect car for touring, local outings, weddings, birthdays, and bar mitzvahs.