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 | | View more photos Drophead Coupe Coachwork: Gurney Nutting Chassis Num: WGC 41 Engine Num: M 240C |
The Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn automobiles were built using a standardized pressed steel body on a very large and well engineering chassis with front independent suspension. In keeping with tradition, Rolls-Royce created a model available in just chassis form allowing the custom coachbuilders to create unique creations to specific customer specifications. These were called the Silver Wraith. Coachbuilders such as H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward, Hooper, Webb, and Freestone, among others, were given the opportunity to create versions of the Silver Wraith. Gurney Nutting was well known for their formal models, dropheads and saloons. Their first vehicle they created for Rolls-Royce was a Sedanca in 1924. Production of the Silver Wraith would continue for twelve years ending in 1959, with a total of 1700 examples being produced during that time. Only a few of those were created by Gurney Nutting.
This example is very elegant, with a drop-top that folds into a recess behind the rear seat. The windows and top are hydraulically operated, which was a unique feature during this era. The interior features picnic tables in the front seat backs and a Becker period radio.
The vehicle's early life was spent in Great Britain. It later came to the US where it has spent the remainder of its time. It has been treated to a cosmetic restoration since 2002 including a bare metal respray, new top, new interior, wood stripped and refinished, chrome replated and the engine bay cleaned up.
At auction this car was estimated to sell for $80,000 - $100,000. Sadly, a buyer willing to meet the vehicles reserve was not found and the car left the auction unsold.
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
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Nutting |
|
| Year | 1949 |
| Make | Rolls-Royce |
| Model | Silver Wraith Nutting |
| Body Style | Drophead Coupe |
| Engine Location | Front |
| Drive Type | Rear Wheel |
| Body / Chassis | Steel body on steel frame |
| Production Years for Series | 1947 - 1959 |
| Coach Work | Gurney Nutting |
| Weight | 4480 lbs | 2032.1 kg |
| Combined MPG | 0.00 |
| Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown | |
| Chassis Number | WGC 41 |
| Engine Number | M 240C |
| Engine | |
| Engine Configuration | I |
| Flat Head | |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Aspiration/Induction | Normal |
| Displacement | 260.00 CU IN. | 4261.4 cc. | 4.3 L. |
| Horsepower | 126.00 BHP (92.7 KW) @ 3750.00 RPM |
| HP to Weight Ratio | 35.6 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio) |
| HP / Liter | 29.3 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 |
| Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight | |
| Standard Transmission | |
| Gears | 4 |
| Transmission | Manual |
| Synchromesh on top three ratios | |
| Final Drive | 3.727:1 |
| View Specifications |
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