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1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drophead Coupe

  • Coachwork by Gurney Nutting
  • Chassis Number: WGC 41
  • Engine Number: M 240C
This 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drophead Coupe with coachwork by Gurney Nutting was offered for sale at the 2007 Christies auction of 'Exceptional Motor Cars at the Monterey Jet Center.' It is finished in dark blue with a beige leather interior and beige soft top. Power is from the six-cylinder engine with overhead inlet valves and a maximum horsepower of about 126. There is a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on the top three ratios and four-wheel hydromechanical drums with a mechanical servo.

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 its formal models, dropheads, and saloons. The 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 seatbacks 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 vehicle's reserve was not found and the car left the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2007

2007 Christie's Exceptional Motor Cars at the Monterey Jet Center

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $80,000-USD $100,000 
Lot was not sold

1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

(Data based on Model Year 1949 sales)
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Sedanca de Ville by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis#: WDC89
Sold for USD$42,900
  2021 RM Sothebys : Hershey
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith by H.J. Mulliner
Chassis#: WFC35
Sold for USD$28,600
  2021 RM Auctions : Auburn Fall
 
1949 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH
Chassis#: WZB 12
Sold for USD$10,080
  2020 Bonhams : Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum
 
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
Chassis#: WDC24
Sold for USD$47,347
  2016 Silverstone : The May Sale
 
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Limousine
Chassis#: WFC68
Sold for USD$28,013
  2015 H & H RREC Burghley House
 
1949 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH LIMOUSINE
Sold for USD$54,193
  2014 Shannons - Melbourne Spring Classic
 
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Limousine
Chassis#: WFC68
Sold for USD$41,972
  2014 H&H Auctions : RREC Rockingham Castle
 
1949 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH LIMOUSINE
Chassis#: WDC61
Sold for USD$77,000
  2014 Barrett-Jackson's 43RD Annual Scottsdale Auction
 
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Limousine
Chassis#: WD3C
Sold for USD$44,811
  2012 Shannons Melbourne Autumn Classic Auction
 
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Sedanca de Ville
Chassis#: WDC.89
Sold for USD$46,200
  2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
1949 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Touring Limousine
Sold for USD$46,799
  2006 RM Auctions Toronto International Spring Classic Car Auction
 

Rolls-Royce Silver Wraiths That Failed To Sell At Auction

1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Nutting 2007 Christie's Exceptional Motor Cars at the Monterey Jet Center $80,000$100,000

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1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
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Other Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith model years

1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Vehicle Profiles

1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Sedanca de Ville
Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: WDC.89
Engine #: W.88.C
1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Drophead Coupe
Coachwork: Gurney Nutting
Chassis #: WGC 41
Engine #: M 240C

Vehicle information, history, and specifications from concept to production.