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The Wraith was introduced in 1936 as its entry level vehicle and as a replacement for the 25/30. Production continued until the Second World War. When the war concluded the vehicle was updated and given the name Silver Wraith with production lasting from 1946 to 1959.
There were two wheelbases available on the Silver Wraith, the 127 and 134 inch. There were over 1200 examples built on the 127 inch platform and about half that amount on the 134 inch wheelbase. Under the hood was a 4.9 liter six-cylinder engine that was adequate enough to carry the vehicles along at a comfortable 80 mph. A four-speed manual gearbox was standard until 1952 when it was replaced with a four-speed automatic unit.
The Silver Wraith's were available as complete cars with factory coachwork or as 'chassis only'. The 'chassis-only' assembly allowed the buyer to completely customize their vehicle and have it finished by one of the renowned coachbuilders of the time, such as H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward, Hooper, and Freestone and Webb, to name a few.
Hooper Ltd. began bodying Rolls-Royce vehicles in the early 1920s. They built a reputation around their limousines and chauffer driven town cars, some the nicest designs in the business.
This 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith with chassis number ELW60 is an Empress Limousine with design number 8390. It is one of only 13 Hooper Company coachbuilt examples built on a Silver Wraith chassis. The body is built from hand formed aluminum over a wooden skeleton. A chrome accent piece runs the entire beltline of the vehicle. The chauffeur's compartment is finished in silver-grey leather while the rear passenger compartment is matching silver-grey cloth. Hand polished woodwork can be found throughout the interior. The passenger's center console is equipped with a telescopic mirror and independent climate controls.
This Silver Wraith was created for the Chairman of the Libby Ball Bearings Company, Mr. Gwinn. Soon after its completion it was sent to the United States where it resided a Chicago Collection for a number of years. It was later purchased by a collector in Florida. The Silver Wraith stayed in the collection for 25 years before being purchased by its current owner. A mechanical and cosmetic restoration began in the 1990s and completed nearly 10 years later.
At the 2006 RM Auction in Meadow Brook, it was estimated to fetch between $80,000 - $120,000. It found a new home at a price of $118,250.
There were nearly 2,000 Silver Wraiths constructed. This example is one of only 13 Hooper examples. In 2010, this Empress Limousine by Hooper was offered for sale at RM Auctions 'Automobiles of Amelia Island' sale in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $75,000-$100,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car has been sold for the sum of $93,500, inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2010
There were two wheelbases available on the Silver Wraith, the 127 and 134 inch. There were over 1200 examples built on the 127 inch platform and about half that amount on the 134 inch wheelbase. Under the hood was a 4.9 liter six-cylinder engine that was adequate enough to carry the vehicles along at a comfortable 80 mph. A four-speed manual gearbox was standard until 1952 when it was replaced with a four-speed automatic unit.
The Silver Wraith's were available as complete cars with factory coachwork or as 'chassis only'. The 'chassis-only' assembly allowed the buyer to completely customize their vehicle and have it finished by one of the renowned coachbuilders of the time, such as H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward, Hooper, and Freestone and Webb, to name a few.
Hooper Ltd. began bodying Rolls-Royce vehicles in the early 1920s. They built a reputation around their limousines and chauffer driven town cars, some the nicest designs in the business.
This 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith with chassis number ELW60 is an Empress Limousine with design number 8390. It is one of only 13 Hooper Company coachbuilt examples built on a Silver Wraith chassis. The body is built from hand formed aluminum over a wooden skeleton. A chrome accent piece runs the entire beltline of the vehicle. The chauffeur's compartment is finished in silver-grey leather while the rear passenger compartment is matching silver-grey cloth. Hand polished woodwork can be found throughout the interior. The passenger's center console is equipped with a telescopic mirror and independent climate controls.
This Silver Wraith was created for the Chairman of the Libby Ball Bearings Company, Mr. Gwinn. Soon after its completion it was sent to the United States where it resided a Chicago Collection for a number of years. It was later purchased by a collector in Florida. The Silver Wraith stayed in the collection for 25 years before being purchased by its current owner. A mechanical and cosmetic restoration began in the 1990s and completed nearly 10 years later.
At the 2006 RM Auction in Meadow Brook, it was estimated to fetch between $80,000 - $120,000. It found a new home at a price of $118,250.
There were nearly 2,000 Silver Wraiths constructed. This example is one of only 13 Hooper examples. In 2010, this Empress Limousine by Hooper was offered for sale at RM Auctions 'Automobiles of Amelia Island' sale in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $75,000-$100,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car has been sold for the sum of $93,500, inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2010
2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London
Pre-Auction Estimates :
£50,000-£75,000
Sale Price :
USD $79,773 (£ 50,400.00)
2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $75,000-USD $100,000
Sale Price :
USD $93,500
2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $80,000-USD $120,000
Sale Price :
USD $118,250
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Limousine Chassis#: LHLW39 Sold for USD$42,000 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Limousine Chassis#: LELW100 Sold for USD$53,760 2022 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | |
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drophead Coupé by Park Ward Chassis#: LELW94 Sold for USD$208,212 2021 RM Sothebys : The Guikas Collection | |
1956 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH LONG WHEELBASE TOURING CAR Chassis#: LELW84 Sold for USD$47,040 2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction | |
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long-wheelbase Limousine Chassis#: . LFLW22 Sold for USD$56,227 2017 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drophead Coupe by Park Ward Chassis#: LELW94 Sold for USD$297,000 2015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | |
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Touring Limousine Chassis#: ELW79 Sold for USD$53,445 2013 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | |
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Touring Limousine Sold for USD$96,800 2012 Auctions America - Ft Lauderdale, Fl | |
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Empress Limousine Chassis#: ELW-60 Sold for USD$79,773 2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London | |
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Empress Limousine by Hooper Sold for USD$93,500 2010 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island | |
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Express Limousine Chassis#: ELW60 Sold for USD$118,250 2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook | |
1956 Rolls-Royce 4.9 Litre Silver Wriath Seven Passenger Limousine Chassis#: FLW16 Sold for USD$35,436 2005 Bonhams - Rolls-Royce, Bentley & Selected Pre-War Motor Cars & Automobilia |
Rolls-Royce Silver Wraiths That Failed To Sell At Auction
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Sedan | 2016 Gulf Coast Classic Punta Gorda, Fl | $65,000 | |||
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Four Door | LELW92 | 2009 Boca Raton, FL Kruse | $70,000 | ||
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 4.9-Litre LWB Perspex Top Saloon | LELW74 | 2008 Bonhams Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Automobiles d'Exception | $280,000 | $320,000 | |
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Limousine | 2003 The Florida Collector Car Auction | $72,500 |
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1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
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