1977 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

The crown jewel of the Rolls-Royce line from 1975 to 1980 was the Silver Wraith II. It was an exclusive, long-wheelbase model based on the Silver Shadow with four additional inches of rear-seat legroom.

Rolls-Royce introduced the Silver Shadow in 1965 and 30,057 examples were built through 1980 (including long-wheelbase versions and the Silver Wraith). It was a modern automobile that embraced unitary body and chassis construction and endowed with disc brakes and an independent rear suspension. The standard-wheelbase measured 119.5-inches while the longer wheelbase version measured 123.5-inches. Although thoroughly modern, the engine remained the tried-and-true 6.2-liter V8 from the Silver Cloud III predecessor. The engine grew to 6.75-liters in 1970 with both engines offering 'adequate' horsepower - as stated by the manufacturer. Transmissions included a General Motors-sourced Turbo Hydramatic 400 automatic gearbox (albeit, pre-1970 right-hand-drive models received the same four-speed automatic gearbox from the Silver Cloud).

The Silver Shadow II arrived in 1977 following several significant changes including updates to the front suspension and a rack and pinion steering system. With the introduction of the Silver Shadow II, the longer wheelbase car became known as the Silver Wraith II, paying homage to the first post-World War II Rolls-Royce The Silver Wraith II was distinguished from the Shadow by its black polyurethane bumper coverings and a larger version of the famed Greek-inspired vertical bar radiator shell, complete with the sculpted Spirit of Ecstasy mascot. Along with the increase in length, the Silver Wraith II had smaller rear opera windows, special Corniche-Camargue-style wheel trim and formal Everflex roof covering.

Rolls-Royce produced 2,780 examples of the long-wheelbase Silver Shadow from 1969 to 1977 and 2,135 of the Silver Wraith II from 1975 to 1980.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2022