1939 Rolls-Royce Wraith

Rolls-Royce produced the Wraith at their Derby factory from 1938 to 1939. The company produced the vehicle as a rolling chassis and supplied the vehicle to independent coachbuilders. Powering the car was an in-line six-cylinder, overhead valve, 4257cc engine that was based on the 25/30 but fitted with a cross-flow cylinder head. The cylinder head had been first seen on the 4¼-Litre Bentley, which placed the inlet and exhaust ports on opposite sides. The engine was mated to a four-speed gearbox which had synchromesh on second, third and four speeds. The drum brakes were assisted by a mechanical servo driven by the engine patented by Hispano-Suiza and built by Rolls-Royce under license. Depending on the size and weight of the coachwork, the car could achieve a top speed of 85 mph.

Carrying the new power-plant was an equally new chassis which featured cruciform bracing and independent front suspension based on a General Motors design. Just like its predecessor, the design and construction was done to high standards of silence and smoothness.

Production of the Wraith was curtailed by the outbreak of WW2 after just 491 examples had been produced.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2011