1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

As the world emerged from World War II, Rolls-Royce production resumed at the new Rolls-Royce facility in Crewe, England. The 'Silver' name was applied to both its Wraith and Dawn, with the Silver Wraith debuting in late 1946 and the Silver Dawn following in July of 1949.

The Silver Wraith wore similar styling to its prewar predecessor and its 4,257cc displacement was identical in size, but the former overhead-valve configuration was replaced by an F-head arrangement with large valves and generous water jacketing around the valve seats. Although Rolls-Royce did not release horsepower figures, output has been estimated at approximately 126 to 132 horsepower. In 1951 the stroke for this engine was changed and increased displacement to 4,566cc. The transmission was a synchromesh four-speed manual with choice of either floor or column selection. This gearbox was supplemented by a General Motors Hydramatic automatic option from 1952.

The former wire wheels were replaced by discs, the four-wheel hydraulic jacking system was dropped, and the front coil springs abandoned the oil-cased system. The front was independent while the rear used a live axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Front control of the drum brakes was hydraulic, with mechanical actuation of the rear drums. The chassis was similar to that of the Silver Dawn and Bentley MK VI, though with a seven-inch longer wheelbase at 10-feet, seven inches. While the MK VI pioneered 'standard steel' bodywork, the Wraith was intended for traditional coachbuilt bodies. Manufacture of the short-wheelbase Wraith ceased in 1952, with a total production of 1,144. The long-wheelbase version continued until the introduction of the Phantom V in 1959, by which time 639 chassis had been completed.

Among the coachbuilders who created bodies for the Silver Wraith were Park Ward, Hooper & Co. Ltd., James Young, H.J. Mulliner & Co., and Freestone & Webb.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe by Freestone & Webb
Chassis number: WVH6
Engine number: W6H

The Silver Wraith was Rolls-Royce's first post-war model and was introduced in late 1946. It was given a chassis similar to that of the Silver Dawn and the Bentley MKVI, though with a 7-inch longer wheelbase. Production continued until 1952, with production reaching 1,144 units. 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 wears coachwork by Freestone & Webb, Ltd. It was constructed specially for the 1952 Earls Court Motor Show. According to the build records, the chassis was delivered to 'RR Lillie Hall' on June 14th, 1952. Just after the show was completed, it was delivered to G.R. Mount, Esq. of Lennards, Ltd. in Staple Hill, Bristol on November 12th, 1952. It would eventually find its way to the United States where it would become part of a large collection. Over the years it saw little use. In May of 1992, it was sold to Sweden where it would remain in a single collector's garage until 2008 when it was sold back to the United States.

This elegant and sporty automobile wears Freestone & Webb design number 3107 which was fitted on only one other chassis - WVH22. This car, chassis number WVH6, was completed first, and wears body number 1691.

The car was given a restoration by Hooper & Co. (coachbuilders) in London and was the subject of a recent cosmetic restoration and detailing.

by Dan Vaughan

Limousine by Mulliner

This 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith is a long wheelbase 7-passenger limousine. It was special ordered through famed New York Rolls-Royce dealer J.S. Inskip by Cornelius Vanderbilt 'CV' Whitney, grandson of wealthy industrialist Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. This is one of only 24 left hand designs bodied by H.J. Mulliner. This Silver Wraith was shipped from Liverpool to Montreal on the Empress of France in July 1952, to serve as the Rolls-Royce 1952 Toronto Show car. The limousine was thereafter delivered to 'CV' at his Park Avenue, New York address. In 1927, 'CV', a successful businessman and philanthropist in his own right, backed Juan Trippe in forming Pan Am. He later financed the 1939 film Gone with the Wind and several other motion pictures. He served President Truman as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force and Undersecretary of Commerce. After marrying 4 times, 'CV' died in 1992 at the age of 93. This Silver Wraith has been used in multiple major motion pictures, including Batman Returns.

A subsequent owner, Jim O'Toole, did a full restoration in 1979. In the late 1990's the car was owned by Herb Cohen, a music producer in Los Angeles, who played a pivotal role in the counter-culture music scene. This car was subjected to a ground up restoration in 2013. It is powered by a 280 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine.

Drop Head Coupe by Abbotts of Farnham

This is the only Silver Wraith Drophead Coupé made by E. D. Abbot Ltd. of Farnham, Surrey, England. It was ordered new via Jack Barclay Ltd. on September 15, 1950, by S. R. Rostron of John Rostron & Sons, Ltd. of Manchester and delivered on June 13, 1952 and later found its way to the United States. Although wonderfully patinated and extremely well cared for a full Concours restoration was commissioned by its current owner to bring the car back to as-new condition. This wonderful never damaged performer was supplied with a new power top and windows along with a host of specially ordered accoutrements and all have survived along with the original handbook, tools and even the key with the code number stamped on it. The original paperwork includes correspondence from the coach builder to the first owner and amazingly, the coach builder's original brochure for this one-off creation.

Sedanca De Ville by Franay
Chassis number: LWME58
Engine number: W91E

Carrosserie Franay of Paris bodied eight of the 1,883 Silver Wraiths built. This particular Franay-bodied example was ordered by Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis 'For use in France.' Upon completion, the car had a left-hand-drive configuration, a speedometer reading in kilometers, and was delivered to the Le Meurice hotel in Paris. It made its way to the United States during the 1970s and later received a multi-year restoration that was completed in 2003. The car's black exterior was complemented by a deep red tone used on the rear doors and quarter panels.

This Sedanca de Ville has a stowable canopy over the chauffeur's compartment, cutaway rear wheel spats, and center-hinged doors. There is a chauffeur's partition divider, and dual writing tables and occasional seats in the rear compartment. Tan leather upholstery is used throughout the interior, along with ornate woodwork on the door panels and dashboard. The 4,257cc F-head inline six-cylinder engine breathes through a single Stromberg carburetor and produces an estimated 126 bhp at 4,500 RPM. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel servo-assisted drum brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

The Silver Wraith, launched in 1947, was an evolution of the pre-war Wraith and was offered in the traditional chassis form ready for the fitting of Bespoke coachwork. The 4,257cc overhead-inlet, side-exhaust engine developed before the war was used, as well as a modified coil and wishbone independent front suspension. Hydraulic brakes were used for the first time on a Rolls-Royce with hydraulic brakes.

The Silver Wraith was constantly refined during its production. The engine was replaced with the 'big bore' 4,566cc in 1951 and automatic transmission was offered as an option in 1952.

Once again the press raved about the car. 'All the world knows that Rolls-Royce carry on an unremitting search for engineering perfection in everything they undertake. The qualities which made their aircraft engines famous, and their cars the finest procurable, are the result of hard work scientifically conducted, and of a painstaking attention to detail from the large to the most minute. And now a new range of cars is about to appear it is believed that the new cars are the best that Rolls-Royce have ever built.'

The Silver Wraith was described like this: 'In common with all Rolls-Royce cars, the Silver Wraith has an indefinable something about it, a delicacy of behaviour, which escapes definition in written words. it is a car for the connoisseur in cars'.

by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

by Rolls-Royce

At a time when most of England was suffering post-war and didn't have much use for a luxury motorcar, Rolls Royce decided to no longer produce cars in strictly separate series. Instead, they would create as many parts of the engine, chassis, and gearbox that would be identical for the different makes, and therefore easily interchangeable. The British economy had suffered due to raw materials shortages, prohibitive purchase tax, and petrol rationing. The Silver Wraith was the embodiment of the new company philosophy of a reliable car with components that could be easily maintained.

Considered by many to be the most technologically advanced Rolls Royce model in history, the Silver Wraith was an exceptionally graceful and elegant automobile. Introduced in 1946 the Silver Wraith was produced at the Crewe factory. The first post-war Rolls-Royce model, the Silver Wraith rode on a 127-inch wheelbase that was based heavily on the pre-war Wraith with coil-sprung independent front suspension and semi-elliptic rear with a live axle. Also based on the Wraith, the engine featured a cylinder head with overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves and an initial capacity of 4,257 cc and 135 horsepower.

The capacity was increased to 4566 cc in 1951, and to 4887 in 1954 on the long-wheelbase models. The Wraith's braking system was a hybrid hydro-mechanical system with hydraulic front brakes and mechanical rears that utilized the mechanical servo from the pre-war cars, which was patented by Hispano-Suiza and built by Rolls Royce under license. For the first time on a Rolls Royce hydraulic brakes were used.

In 1951 Rolls Royce announced the long, 133-inch wheelbase chassis. A total of 639 of these units were produced until 1969. The final short-wheelbase models were made in 1953. At first, only a four-speed manual gearbox was available but in 1952 a General Motors automatic option was added to the list of offerings.

The Silver Wraith was the final Rolls-Royce model that would be delivered in 'chassis only' form with the intent to be bodied by independent coachbuilders. The number of specialist coachbuilders was quickly declining over the years. Many of the Silver Wraith bodies selected used 'formal limousine designs'. The Bentley Mark Vi was offered for customers that wanted to purchase their car with a standard body already fitted. The Silver Wraith differed from the Mark VI in the fact that it wasn't a complete car, merely a rolling chassis. The Silver Wraith outlived the Mark VI and continued to survive until 1959 by undergoing modernizations like automatic gearbox and power-assisted steering. The Silver Wraith would be the final Rolls Royce that showed a vast variety of coachwork styles.

The Rolls Royce Silver Wraith has filled many official capacities over the years including the Royal Dutch State Limousine in 1958, the Royal Danish Ceremonial Car 'Store Krone' also in 1958, the Irish Presidential State Car from 1947 until now. Other official uses include the Ceremonial State Car for the Brazilian President in 1952. The

The Silver Wraith had numerous movie cameos over the years including 1968 'The Love Bug', 1975 'The Return of the Pink Panther', 1989 'Batman', 1992 'Batman Returns' and even the recent 2012 film 'The S

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Silver_Wraith

http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/wraith/

by Jessican Donaldson