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| | View more photos Chassis Num: LWHD78 |
This unwavering pursuit of perfection is the defining characteristics of its cars from the first Model 10 to the latest 100EX drophead. Following a century of designing and building automobiles, the Rolls-Royce is still regarded as the pinnacle of workmanship, materials, engineering, luxury and excellence among the top rank of motorcars the world over.
The Silver Wraith
Began in 1938 as a complementary series to the 12-cylinder Phantom III, the Wraith (it would not be called the Silver Wraith until 1946) had only 491 examples built before World War II brought production to a halt. Postwar, the six-cylinder 4.25-liter F-head engine used in the prewar cars were carried over, eventually growing to 4.5 liters and producing an estimated 150 bhp.
In keeping with the long-established Rolls-Royce tradition, coachbuilt bodies were de rigeur on Silver Wraiths. The majority of bodies were supplied by Park Ward, Mulliner, Hopper, James Young and Freestone & Webb along with the occasional one-off provided by various British or European coachbuilders.
Total production of the Silver Wraith from 1946 to 1959 came to 1,783 examples. This included 1,144 standard wheelbase and 639 long-wheelbase cars.
This Car
This Silver Wraith is highly desirable from several important viewpoints. First, it is the scarcer long-wheelbase model, but even more important, it is one of only two dropheads produced with left-hand drive, which contributes greatly to driving ease and pleasure on U.S. roadways. It is equipped with a power top and power windows, while the enthusiastic driver will enjoy the function of the 4-speed gearbox coupled with the smooth, unobtrusive six-cylinder engine.
Here is a vintage Rolls-Royce that embodies the finest traditions of the marque. With its custom coachwork, lavish, yet understated, passenger compartment and proven, precise mechanicals, it possesses the aura and presence that only a convertible with the intertwined black R's on its radiator badge is capable of conveying.Source - Gooding & Company
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 with hydraulic brakes.
The Silver Wraith was constantly refined during its production. The engine was replaced with 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 with 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
The Silver Wraith was constantly refined during its production. The engine was replaced with 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 with 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
1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith LWB Drop Head Coupe |
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| Year | 1951 |
| Make | Rolls-Royce |
| Model | Silver Wraith LWB Drop Head Coupe |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Steel body on steel frame |
| Production Years for Series | 1947 - 1959 |
| Body Designer | Park Ward |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | LWHD78 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | S |
| Flat Head | |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Solid valve lifters | |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 4.50 L | 274.6 cu in. | 4500.7 cc. |
| Horsepower | 150.00 BHP (110.4 KW) |
| HP / Liter | 33.3 BHP / Liter |
| Compression Ratio | 6.4:1 |
| Main Bearings | 7 |
| Engine Electronics | 12-volt electrical system |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline - Petrol |
| Block | Cast-iron |
| Head | Aluminum |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Column lever | |
| Final Drive | 3.727:1 |
| View Specifications |
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