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1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Express Limousine

  • Coachwork by Hooper
  • Chassis Number: ELW60
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

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 image  1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
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 image  
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 image  1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
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 image  1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
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 image  1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Express Limousine
Chassis#: ELW60
Sold for USD$118,250
  2006 RM Auctions at Meadow Brook
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
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.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Sedan 2016 Gulf Coast Classic Punta Gorda, Fl$65,000  
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Four DoorLELW922009 Boca Raton, FL Kruse$70,000  
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 4.9-Litre LWB Perspex Top SaloonLELW742008 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

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

1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Vehicle Profiles

1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Limousine
Coachwork: James Young
Chassis #: LHLW39
Engine #: L38H
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Touring Limousine
Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: LELW100
Engine #: L99E
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Touring Limousine
Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: LELW84
Engine #: L83E
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Touring Limousine
Coachwork: Mulliner
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Limousine
Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Touring Limousine
Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: LEL W92
1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Express Limousine
Coachwork: Hooper
Chassis #: ELW60