1948 Silver Wraith  |
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1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Sedanca Coupe Coachwork: Saoutchik Chassis Num: WTA45 |
This particular Silver Wraith with chassis number WTA45, was ordered by Sir John Gaul of London and was initially sent to Freestone & Webb for its coachwork. Sir John had owned the Freestone & Webb-bodied Phantom III called 'Copper Kettle' and he initially wanted a similar body for his new car. But then he changed his mind and the Silver Wraith was sent to Saoutchik in Paris. The car was awarded Best of Show at the Monte Carlo Concours in 1948. After some styling changes it has been restored to its 1948 specification.
The ownership history is complete. In 2008, it was acquired in a disassembled and unhappy condition from a California family, who had attempted the restoration over a 25-year period. The restoration was completed by Vantage Motors of Miami in time for the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where this car captured a class trophy in its show debut.
 |  |  | Saloon Coachwork: Park Ward & Co. |
The Silver Wraith is powered by a six-cylinder, 4.5-liter motor. The current owner has enjoyed this motorcar for 33 years and has received numerous awards, including 1st place in the touring division of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club.
 |  | Cabriolet Coachwork: Inskip Chassis Num: WZB36 |
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 |  |  | Drophead Coupe Coachwork: Franay Chassis Num: WVA63 |
| Sold for $165,000 at 2011 RM Auctions. Sold for $220,000 at 2013 Barrett-Jackson. | |||
This example was originally owned by Dr. M. Adel Latif of Geneva, Switzerland and is the 148th examples from the start of production. Since that time, the car has been restored and painted blue with a blue leather interior and a dark blue canvas top.
In 2011, the car was offered for sale at RM Auction's Arizona sale where it was estimated to sell for $125,000 - $150,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $165,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.
The Silver Wraith, launched in 1947, was an evolution of the pre-war Wraith and was offered in the traditional chassis form ready for the fitting of Bespoke coachwork. The 4,257cc overhead-inlet, side-exhaust engine developed before the war was used, as well as a modified coil and wishbone independent front suspension. Hydraulic brakes were used for the first time on a Rolls-Royce wîth hydraulic brakes.
The Silver Wraith was constantly refined during its production. The engine was replaced wîth the 'big bore' 4,566cc in 1951 and automatic transmission was offered as an option in 1952.
Once again the press raved about the car. 'All the world knows that Rolls-Royce carry on an unremitting search for engineering perfection in everything they undertake. The qualities which made their aircraft engines famous, and their cars the finest procurable, are the result of hard work scientifically conducted, and of a painstaking attention to detail from the large to the most minute. And now a new range of cars is about to appear it is believed that the new cars are the best that Rolls-Royce have ever built.'
The Silver Wraith was described like this: 'In common wîth all Rolls-Royce cars, the Silver Wraith has an indefinable something about it, a delicacy of behaviour, which escapes definition in written words. it is a car for the connoisseur in cars'.Source - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
For more information and related vehicles, click hereThe Silver Wraith was constantly refined during its production. The engine was replaced wîth the 'big bore' 4,566cc in 1951 and automatic transmission was offered as an option in 1952.
Once again the press raved about the car. 'All the world knows that Rolls-Royce carry on an unremitting search for engineering perfection in everything they undertake. The qualities which made their aircraft engines famous, and their cars the finest procurable, are the result of hard work scientifically conducted, and of a painstaking attention to detail from the large to the most minute. And now a new range of cars is about to appear it is believed that the new cars are the best that Rolls-Royce have ever built.'
The Silver Wraith was described like this: 'In common wîth all Rolls-Royce cars, the Silver Wraith has an indefinable something about it, a delicacy of behaviour, which escapes definition in written words. it is a car for the connoisseur in cars'.Source - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars| Famous Bentley 4¼-Litre 'Embiricos' Special Makes Star Appearance At Crewe Factory | |
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| Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Introduces Its First Sport Customs Class | |
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| Bentley Sales Leap By A Third | |
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| Cherished Classics From The Pettit Collection Will Be Offered Without Reserve | |
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| Last Mercer Will Compete At Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance | |
 | When the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic commences on August 7, Johnny Crowell will don his leather cap and goggles and settle in behind the wheel of his 1925 Mercer Series 6 Raceabout -- the last Mercer ever to exit the factory. The Roebling family along with designer Finley Robertson Porter debuted the Mercer Raceabout Type 35R in 1911. The result was one of the most admired sports cars of the early era: a stripped-down, two-seat speedster designed to be driven fast. By 1925, they had perfec...[Read more...] |
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| 1948 Silver Wraith |
