1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II

The Rolls-Royce Company, from the beginning, set about to '…be established to provide motor vehicles for use on land, water or in the air.' They quickly established a reputation for engineering excellence with a tradition of careful evolution rather than a massive revolution. October of 1965 marked the company's landmark adoption of monocoque or unit-body construction with its new Silver Shadow on Bentley T-Series equivalent.

In 1970, the aluminum-alloy V-8 engine in the Silver Shadow received a displacement increase to 6.75 liters and output was now estimated at 220 horsepower, backed by a robust GM Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 three-speed automatic transmission. The Silver Shadow also received an innovative high-pressure hydraulic system licensed from France's Citroën, with hydraulic self-leveling suspension and dual-circuit braking.

The Silver Wraith II was introduced in 1977 and was essentially a longer version of the Silver Shadow, resulting in additional passenger room for its occupants. It was four inches longer and offered in the United States from May of 1969, with domestic customers receiving the cars beginning in early 1970. The cars delivered outside of North America received an electrically retractable glass divider with a separate air conditioning unit mounted in the trunk. The glass divider essential neglected any gains in wheelbase. Due to North American safety laws, this configuration was not allowed in the U.S., as the fuel tank resided in the trunk.

These longer-wheelbase models did not have a separate name until 1976 when the Silver Shadow II was introduced, only then did the longer cars received the Silver Wraith II designation.

The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II continued to utilize the same body shell, 6750cc V8 engines, and GM400 series automatic gearbox as the outgoing Shadow, it gained larger one-piece bumpers, revised front suspension geometry, a prominent front air dam, and power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. It adopted more ergonomic facia and split level air-conditioning.

The Silver Shadow II continued to carry its occupants in a uniquely cosseting experience, complete with the finest hides, chrome fixtures, carpets, and wood veneers. The Silver Wraith II, nearly identical to the Shadow II except for the longer wheelbase, offered rear seat occupants slightly more legroom, albeit at a rather greater expense. It would remain in production until 1980 by which time approximately 2,145 are believed to have been built.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon
Chassis number: LRK37465

The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II was styled by John Blatchley. Between 1975 and 1980, just 2,135 examples were produced. The cars came equipped with rack-and-pinion power steering, automatic transmission, advanced air conditioning, and more.

This example has 43,000 original miles.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon
Chassis number: SRK37155

This Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow II is one of just 8,425 built. From the front grille that took over 80 man-hours to make, to the interior Connolly leather seats, the details throughout epitomize luxury. Power is from a 412 cubic-inch Rolls-Royce engine fitted with two SU carburetors. The engine is mated to a GM-sourced Turbo Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic gearbox.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon
Chassis number: LRK36088

The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was introduced in October 1965 and was the first Rolls-Royce to employ unit-body construction. The V-8 engine was increased to 6.75 liters in 1970 to produce 220 horsepower. The engine was mated to a GM 400 Turbo Hydra-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission. The Silver Shadow had an innovative self-leveling hydraulic suspension system and dual-circuit braking. Although the Silver Shadows were outwardly virtually identical to the early Silver Shadows, the late-Seventies models featured over 2,000 improvements, all of which were incorporated in the new-for-1977 Silver Shadow.

This particular example is a two-owner example and is a highly original Texas car that has been driven just 9,100 miles. It wears a factory two-tone Ebony and Gold paint scheme, has a tan leather interior, Wilton wood carpets and wood veneers.

by Dan Vaughan

Saloon
Chassis number: LRK38339

This 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II Sedan has been fitted with a few tasteful upgrades including a Nardi performance wood steering wheel, and a modern touch screen radio with phone interface. The interior is in excellent condition and the paint looks original and in great condition.

by Dan Vaughan