Catherine Tejada
Sale Coordinator
LOT 25
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long-Wheelbase Enclosed Drive Limousine Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner Chassis no. LELW87 Engine no. SB 80 Body no. 5802
Sold for US$44,800 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 25
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long-Wheelbase Enclosed Drive Limousine
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long-Wheelbase Enclosed Drive Limousine
Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis no. LELW87
Engine no. SB 80
Body no. 5802
Coachwork by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis no. LELW87
Engine no. SB 80
Body no. 5802
4,887cc F-Head Inline 6 Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Carburetor
Approximately 125bhp
4-Speed Automatic Gearbox
Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle with Leaf Springs
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Handsome 7-passenger limousine body by H.J. Mulliner
*Originally delivered to R.W. Johnson of Johnson & Johnson fame
*Restored to factory original specifications and colors
*Numbers matching chassis and body
*Requires recommissioning
THE SILVER WRAITH
Considered by many to be the final "true" Rolls-Royce, the Silver Wraith was the last flagship offered without the option for factory coachwork. Rolls-Royce's first post-war model, the Silver Wraith debuted in late 1946, and employed a chassis like that of the Silver Dawn and Bentley Mk VI, though with a 7" longer wheelbase at 10' 7". The Wraith, however, was only intended for traditional coach-built bodies rather than the Mk VI'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 CAR OFFERED
Chassis LELW87 is a long-wheelbase Silver Wraith, clothed with H.J. Mulliner's handsome, formally styled Enclosed Drive Limousine, design number 7358. Records show this very special Silver Wraith was ordered via Jack Barclay, Ltd and delivered to R.W. Johnson of Johnson & Johnson fame in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Accompanying chassis records document the litany of options and extras, including a four-speed Hydramatic transmission, divider window, twin folding opera seats, air conditioning, and rear-compartment radio. There's also a rear-mounted radio, under-car aerial, and Windtone horns. Rolls-Royce's proven and durable F-head inline-six displaces 4.9-liters and is capable of providing ample refined power in the substantive Silver Wraith chassis.
This car currently wears an older restoration displaying a moderate patina, finished in its handsome original color scheme of dark blue against a navy-blue driver's compartment and ivory leather-trimmed passenger cabin. Red carpets and body coachlines add a pleasing visual pop and nautical-inspired character. Please note that this vehicle has been on long-term static display in a dry climate, it has not been started while in Bonhams care, and will require recommissioning.
Single Downdraft Carburetor
Approximately 125bhp
4-Speed Automatic Gearbox
Independent Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle with Leaf Springs
4-Wheel Drum Brakes
*Handsome 7-passenger limousine body by H.J. Mulliner
*Originally delivered to R.W. Johnson of Johnson & Johnson fame
*Restored to factory original specifications and colors
*Numbers matching chassis and body
*Requires recommissioning
THE SILVER WRAITH
Considered by many to be the final "true" Rolls-Royce, the Silver Wraith was the last flagship offered without the option for factory coachwork. Rolls-Royce's first post-war model, the Silver Wraith debuted in late 1946, and employed a chassis like that of the Silver Dawn and Bentley Mk VI, though with a 7" longer wheelbase at 10' 7". The Wraith, however, was only intended for traditional coach-built bodies rather than the Mk VI'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 CAR OFFERED
Chassis LELW87 is a long-wheelbase Silver Wraith, clothed with H.J. Mulliner's handsome, formally styled Enclosed Drive Limousine, design number 7358. Records show this very special Silver Wraith was ordered via Jack Barclay, Ltd and delivered to R.W. Johnson of Johnson & Johnson fame in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Accompanying chassis records document the litany of options and extras, including a four-speed Hydramatic transmission, divider window, twin folding opera seats, air conditioning, and rear-compartment radio. There's also a rear-mounted radio, under-car aerial, and Windtone horns. Rolls-Royce's proven and durable F-head inline-six displaces 4.9-liters and is capable of providing ample refined power in the substantive Silver Wraith chassis.
This car currently wears an older restoration displaying a moderate patina, finished in its handsome original color scheme of dark blue against a navy-blue driver's compartment and ivory leather-trimmed passenger cabin. Red carpets and body coachlines add a pleasing visual pop and nautical-inspired character. Please note that this vehicle has been on long-term static display in a dry climate, it has not been started while in Bonhams care, and will require recommissioning.
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