conceptcarz.com

1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, the company's first post-war model, was produced from 1946 to 1958 alongside the shorter Bentley Mark VI. Both the Mark VI and the Wraith rested on the same chassis, with the Rolls-Royce being larger by seven inches. While the Bentley MKVI pioneered 'standard steel' bodywork, the Wraith continued the tradition of carrying coach-built bodies, with most of the coachwork being 'formal' limousine style designs. The list of coachbuilders included Park Ward, Mulliner, Hooper, James Young, and Freestone.

1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith photo
Touring Limousine by Hooper
View info and history
The straight-six F-head engine had overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves and reshaped combustion chambers. This engine had first appeared in with overhead valve gear in the short-lived Bentley Mark V, produced just prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Powering the Wraith, the engine received a more efficient drive to the timing gear and new main and big-end bearings. It initially retained the Mark V's capacity of 4,257cc, later increasing to 4,566cc in 1951. After the introduction of the Silver Cloud in 1955, displacement rose to 4,887cc. A four-speed manual gearbox was initially offered but was later supplemented by a General Motors Hydra-Matic automatic option from 1952.

The suspension was a coil-sprung independent front with conventional semi-elliptic springs and a live axle setup in the rear. In a similar fashion to the pre-war cars, the braking system was a hybrid hydro-mechanical system with hydraulic front brakes and mechanical rears using the mechanical servo.

In 1951, a long-wheelbase version (measuring 133 inches) became available and was standard by 1952. The final 'short-wheelbase' Wraith was delivered in November of 1953, and 639 long-wheelbase versions would be built with the final example being delivered in October of 1958.

1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith photo
Touring Limousine by Hooper
View info and history
During the 13-year production lifespan of the Wraith, a total of 1,883 examples were built.


by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019

Related Reading : Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith History

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....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith History

At a time when most of England was suffering post-war and didnt 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,....
Continue Reading >>

1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Vehicle Profiles

1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Touring Limousine

Coachwork: Mulliner
Chassis #: WVH 92
Engine #: W 91 H
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Touring Limousine

Coachwork: Hooper
Chassis #: LWVH87
Engine #: W86H
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Touring Limousine

Coachwork: Hooper
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith vehicle information
Touring Limousine

Coachwork: Hooper

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Silver Wraith

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
120.00 in., 127.00 in.
6 cyl., 259.78 CID., 126.00hp
120.00 in., 127.00 in.
6 cyl., 260.00 CID., 126.00hp
120.00 in.
6 cyl., 260.00 CID., 126.00hp
120.00 in.
6 cyl., 260.00 CID., 126.00hp
127.00 in.
6 cyl., 260.00 CID., 126.00hp
133.00 in.
6 cyl., 274.61 CID., 150.00hp
133.00 in.
6 cyl., 278.63 CID., 150.00hp
133.00 in.
6 cyl., 298.22 CID., 125.00hp
123.00 in., 133.00 in.
6 cyl., 298.22 CID., 125.00hp
133.00 in.
6 cyl., 298.22 CID.
$11,000 - $11,000
133.00 in., 134.00 in.
6 cyl., 298.22 CID., 125.00hp
6 cyl., 297.80 CID., 135.00hp
133.00 in.
6 cyl., 298.20 CID., 180.00hp
133.00 in.
6 cyl., 298.22 CID., 177.00hp
133.00 in.
6 cyl., 297.61 CID., 135.00hp

Related Automotive News

Prestigious European Classics, Including Exceptional 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster, Added to Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

Prestigious European Classics, Including Exceptional 1933 Bugatti Type 55 Roadster, Added to Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

A selection of highly desirable concours-quality offerings from Europes finest automakers, including Bugatti, Bentley, Alfa Romeo, and Peugeot, to cross the auction block at Pebble Beach next month. Internationally acclaimed auction house Gooding...
Rolls-Royce Black Badge: Born from heritage

Rolls-Royce Black Badge: Born from heritage

Rolls-Royce reflects on commissions from highly prominent clients Three rebellious motor cars spanning four decades of marques 117-year history Disruptive clients have embraced Rolls-Royces near-limitless Bespoke possibilities Finished entirel...
2019 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show Winner

2019 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show Winner

1931 Bentley 8 Litre Named Best of Show at the 69th Pebble Beach Concours dElegance PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (August 18, 2019) — Every August, the history of the automobile rolls onto the competition field of the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance...
Rolls-Royce Celebrates 2018 Goodwood Revival

Rolls-Royce Celebrates 2018 Goodwood Revival

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will celebrate the 2018 Goodwood Revival this weekend – the 20th anniversary of the event – with a significant presence at the legendary motor circuit. The centrepiece will be the March Motor Works, this year set in the swinging...
2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show

2015 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (August 17, 2015) -- An Italian Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A Cabriolet that once turned heads and garnered top prizes in the classic era glided to victory at the 65th Pebble Beach Concours dElegance on Sunday. The competition...