1939 Rolls-Royce Wraith Saloon

From 1922 on, Rolls-Royce produced a smaller car alongside their larger models. These were the 20, 20/25, 25/30 and Wraith. The Rolls-Royce Wraith was the final pre-war development of these and was an all-new design incorporating some of the features of the Phantom III. Some enthusiasts refer to it as a baby Phantom III, with its 136-inch wheelbase compared with the Phantom III's 142 inches.

Features shared with the Phantom III include independent front suspension, built-in hydraulic jacks, 4-speed transmission, adjustable ride control, servo-assisted power brakes, and dual electric fuel pumps. It had an all-new 6-cylinder, overhead valve, 4.25-liter engine, which was as quiet as the Phantom III, both being among the quietest of all pre-war cars. It was introduced in 1938 and only 492 were produced before World War II halted production of all Rolls-Royce and Bentley models. Because of the similarity of names it is sometimes confused with the Silver Wraith which was introduced after the war and is a completely different design.

As with all pre-war Rolls-Royce and Bentleys, only a running chassis was built and custom coachbuilders built the bodies. Thrupp and Maberly was a major custom coachbuilder for Rolls-Royce and Bentley: This Wraith sports their 4-door saloon body. After the war, the company, which had been owned by the Roots Group since 1925, made special bodies for Roots cars until they closed in 1967.