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1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Vignale Sedan

  • Coachwork by Vignale
  • Chassis Number: LCLW14
  • Engine Number: L13C
The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith was the company's first post-war model. It made its debut in late 1946 and given a chassis similar to that of the Silver Dawn and Mark VI Bentley, though with a 7-inch longer wheelbase. The Wraith was designed to accept the traditional coachbuilt bodies rather than the Mark VI's 'standard steel' bodywork. Only the bore and stroke dimensions were shared with the pre-war overhead-valve Wraith engine, the major advantage of this 'F-head' layout being its large valves and generous water jacketing around the valve seats. Production of the short-wheelbase Wraith continued until 1952, with a total of 1,144 examples built. The long-wheelbase version continued until the introduction of the Phantom V in 1959, by which time 639 chassis had been completed.

This particular example was ordered by Joseph J. Maschuch, Esq. of Maplewood, New Jersey (incorrectly noted as New York on the build sheets). The long-wheelbase Wraith was given a one-off body by Vignale. In the front, the grille is flanked by a pair of sealed beam P100s while a smaller set of hooded foglights capped the front fenders. The rear window and C-pillar were swept back and the rear window was retractable. The cabin necessitated a long rear overhang to accommodate the full sized trunk.

Under the hood, the block, head, dynamo, starter, air cleaner, carburetor, and inlet manifold were all painted green. As per the original owner's request, all visible pipes under the hood were to be chrome plated. Inside, the car was fitted with an air conditioning system. There is fine cabinetry in the rear compartment which concealed a full bar and a center mounted television. It was given a Becker Mexico radio and all of the windows were power operated, as was the front seat. The chauffeur's compartment was trimmed in black leather, while the rear compartment was given grey broadcloth. Under the right rear passenger seat is a toilet with a gold painted toilet seat, although it is understood this was only used as a champagne cooler.

The current caretaker has cared for the car for over a decade. It retains the original interior but has been cosmetically refreshed over the years.

Vignale was famous for clothing numerous Ferraris and other Italian sports cars, but this Rolls-Royce is the only one for which the Italian carrozzeria would ever pen the coachwork.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014

2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction

Sale Price :
USD $198,000

1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

(Data based on Model Year 1954 sales)
1954 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH ALL-WEATHER TOURER
Chassis#: WLE27
Sold for USD$225,500
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Limousine
Chassis#: dlw125
Sold for USD$90,200
  2023 Mecum : Monterey
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Empress Line Limousine
Chassis#: LDLW18
Sold for USD$33,600
  2023 Bonhams : The Greenwich Auction
 
1954 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH
Chassis#: DLW3
Sold for USD$74,800
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az.
 
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith All-Weather Tourer by Freestone & Webb
Chassis#: WLE27
Sold for USD$335,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Touring Saloon
Chassis#: LBLW91
Sold for USD$42,560
  2022 Bonhams : The Greenwich Auction
 
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 'Phantom IV' Saloon by Freestone & Webb
Chassis#: CLW37
Sold for USD$88,000
  2019 RM Sothebys : Hershey
 
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Touring
Chassis#: LBLW 45
Sold for USD$84,000
  2019 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours
 
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Limousine
Chassis#: DLW 125
Sold for USD$110,000
  2016 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Saloon
Chassis#: BLW65
Sold for USD$46,106
  2015 Bonhams : The Beaulieu Sale
 
1954 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH LWB SPECIAL SALOON
Chassis#: LCLW14
Sold for USD$198,000
  2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith image  
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Special Touring Limousine
Chassis#: LWVH114
Sold for USD$73,710
  2012 Bonhams - Greenwich Concours d'Elegance: Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia
 
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 4½-Litre Touring Limousine
Chassis#: CLW26
Sold for USD$94,388
  2007 Bonhams - Les Grandes Marques a Monaco
 
1954 Rolls-Royce 4D
Sold for USD$15,884
  2005 Toronto International Spring Classic Car Auction
 
1954 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH LIMOUSINE
Sold for USD$46,000
  2004 Bonhams - ROLLS ROYCE
 
1954 Rolls-Royce SilverWraith Touring Limo
Sold for USD$42,900
  2003 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona
 

Rolls-Royce Silver Wraiths That Failed To Sell At Auction

1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Freestone & Webb Convertible SedanWLE272023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center $350,000$400,000
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith LimousineDLW1252019 Mecum : Monterey$100,000$225,000$250,000
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Touring LimousineWVH1102013 H & H Auctions Chateau Impney   
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 4½-LitreWVH1102012 Bonhams Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia at Goodwood $40,000$60,000
1954 Rolls-Royce Hooper Body Silver Wraith Limousine 2009 Leake Auctions Dallas 37th Annual Leake Auto Auction Market Hall$56,000  
1954 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH LIMOUSINE 2002 Kruse Auction Las Vegas, NV$97,500  
1954 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH LIMOUSINE 2002 Kruse Auction Las Vegas, NV$140,000  
1954 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH LWB 2001 Kruse Auction Scottsdale Arizona$19,000  

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1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

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

1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Vehicle Profiles

1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
All-Weather Tourer
Coachwork: Freestone & Webb
Chassis #: WLE27
Engine #: W26E
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Limousine
Coachwork: James Young
Chassis #: DLW 125
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Touring Limousine
Coachwork: Hooper
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Vignale Sedan
Coachwork: Vignale
Chassis #: LCLW14
Engine #: L13C