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This car (chassis number WZB36) was displayed at the New York Auto Show in 1949. The Silver Wraith was the first postwar Rolls-Royce model, and it was made at the Crewe factory from 1946 to 1959. This was the last Rolls-Royce model to receive a wide variety of bespoke coachwork, designed and made by a rapidly declining number of specialist coachbuilders. One of only two Rolls-Royce Silver Wraiths built by J.S. Inskip, this car was delivered in January of 1951. Inskip was the New York distributor for Rolls-Royce. Most of the Rolls-Royces Inskip imported at that time had British or French coachwork, but Inskip did build a handful of Inskip-badged bodies on Phantom III and Silver Wraith chassis.
This car, chassis number WZB36, was the second and last Inskip drophead coupe completed, and the final Rolls-Royce produced with an American custom body. The final two Rolls-Royces produced with American custom coachwork were a pair of drophead coupes, built by former Brewster craftsmen for importer J.S. Inskip of New York. They were constructed on two early Silver Wraith chassis and given sumptuous baroque curves, inspired by the French designs of Saoutchik and Figoni. Other features included the sweeping fenders decorated with chromed brass, and a distinctively sporting 'dip' in the beltline.
The original build plans for this car indicate that it was intended to be built by as a James Young saloon, but this order was cancelled and the car instead sent to the United States. It was finally sold by Inskip to its original owner, Lawrence S. Donaldson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 29 January 1951. The car was maintained at the family's historic mansion at 1712 Mount Curve Avenue.
The cars next caretaker was Andrew Darling, who purchased the Silver Wraith from Mr. Donaldson in August of 1957. It remained with him for nearly four decades, before being sold at the famous auction of his collection by Sotheby's in 1996.
A short time later, it was acquired by its current owner, who maintained it for several more years in its original condition, before treating it to a restoration. It was refinished in dark sapphire blue, with a red leather interior and blue cloth top. Currently, the odometer shows 24,910 miles on its original engine.
This car, chassis number WZB36, was the second and last Inskip drophead coupe completed, and the final Rolls-Royce produced with an American custom body. The final two Rolls-Royces produced with American custom coachwork were a pair of drophead coupes, built by former Brewster craftsmen for importer J.S. Inskip of New York. They were constructed on two early Silver Wraith chassis and given sumptuous baroque curves, inspired by the French designs of Saoutchik and Figoni. Other features included the sweeping fenders decorated with chromed brass, and a distinctively sporting 'dip' in the beltline.
The original build plans for this car indicate that it was intended to be built by as a James Young saloon, but this order was cancelled and the car instead sent to the United States. It was finally sold by Inskip to its original owner, Lawrence S. Donaldson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 29 January 1951. The car was maintained at the family's historic mansion at 1712 Mount Curve Avenue.
The cars next caretaker was Andrew Darling, who purchased the Silver Wraith from Mr. Donaldson in August of 1957. It remained with him for nearly four decades, before being sold at the famous auction of his collection by Sotheby's in 1996.
A short time later, it was acquired by its current owner, who maintained it for several more years in its original condition, before treating it to a restoration. It was refinished in dark sapphire blue, with a red leather interior and blue cloth top. Currently, the odometer shows 24,910 miles on its original engine.
2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $425,000-USD $600,000
Sale Price :
USD $561,000
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
(Data based on Model Year 1947 sales)
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Coupé Sport Saloon par Freestone & Webb Chassis#: WVA74 Sold for USD$92,156 2022 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1947 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH TOURING LIMOUSINE COACHWORK BY HOOPER Chassis#: WVA38 Sold for USD$47,040 2021 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours dElegance Online Auction | |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Inskip Convertible Sold for USD$700,000 2021 Mecum : Glendale | |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drophead Coupe by Inskip Chassis#: WZB36 Sold for USD$561,000 2017 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Cabriolet Chassis#: WVA63 Sold for USD$242,000 2017 Bonhams : The Amelia Island Auction | |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith1947 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH CONVERTIBLE BY FRANAY Chassis#: WVA63 Sold for USD$231,000 2015 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale | |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drophead Coupe Sold for USD$264,000 2013 Worldwide Auctions - Auburn | |
1947 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH DROPHEAD COUPE Chassis#: WVA63 Sold for USD$220,000 2013 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale | |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drophead Coupe Chassis#: WVA63 Sold for USD$165,000 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions | |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 'Park Ward' Saloon Chassis#: WTA81 Sold for USD$63,337 2009 Shannons Auctions - 2009 Melbourne International Motorshow Auction | |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Sports Saloon with Division Chassis#: WYA 78 Sold for USD$31,768 2003 Bonhams - Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars & Related Automobilia |
Rolls-Royce Silver Wraiths That Failed To Sell At Auction
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Inskip Convertible | 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | $475,000 | $600,000 | $700,000 | |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Inskip Convertible | 2020 Mecum : Indy | ||||
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Inskip Convertible | 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | ||||
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Inskip Convertible | WYA26 | 2019 Mecum : Monterey | $500,000 | $500,000 | $750,000 |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Convertible | WYA26 | 2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $1,250,000 | $2,000,000 | |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Cabriolet by Franay | WVA63 | 2014 RM Auctions Amelia Island | $210,000 | $300,000 | $375,000 |
1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 4¼-Litre Sports Saloon | WVA74 | 2010 Bonhams Royal Mirage, Dubai | $90,000 | $130,000 |
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1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
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