1939 Rolls-Royce Wraith Fixed Head Coupe

As 1935 was coming to a close, Rolls-Royce Chief Engineer A.G. Elliott expressed his desire to take the company's line of six-cylinder cars to a new level of design, power, and quality. In 1938, that new car was introduced. It was given an independent front suspension and an all-new welded chassis with a cruciform brace. The new car was, in essence, a smaller version of the Phantom III. Breaking from the tradition crafted from the 20/25 and 25/30, Rolls-Royce gave their new vehicle a more elegant name - the Wraith. In total, Rolls-Royce produced just 491 examples of the Wraith over a two year period prior to the onset of World War II.

This example wears a well-preserved restoration. During the past 35 years, the car has been owned by just two owners. The car - WHC 33 - was sold on March 14th of 1939 to H.R. Owen, a dealer of fine motorcars during the interwar period. Tested on May 19th of 1939, it was delivered on June 7th to coachbuilder Gurney Nutting for drop head coupe coachwork. It was first registered on April 27, 1946, with tags reading GVR 430. As some point during this period, the car's roof was modified with a fixed head coupe.

Stan Brunt acquired the car in the early 1970s. He was a dealer and restorer of fine motorcars in Newcastle, England. Soon after it acquisition, it was advertised for sale. The next owner was Dr. Mark Sheppard of St. Petersburg, Florida. Dr. Sheppard requested that Mr. Brunt thoroughly freshen the Rolls-Royce before shipping it to Florida. The work included repainting the exterior, re-plating most of the brightwork, refurbishing the interior, and rebuilding the engine with a new flywheel, carburetor, and water pump.

WHC 33 was imported on December 29th of 1975 and would remain with Dr. Sheppard until his passing in 1978. The car was purchased from his estate by Delton Woodard of St. Petersburg. While in his care, rain gutters and moldings were added to the car's roof, which was then repainted in white to contrast the blue body.

In the early 1990s, Mr. Woodard's family inherited the car following his passing.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2013