1949 This Is A ONE OFF Custom Bodied Car - There Is NO OTHER :) For Sale

*** PRICE IS NZD125000. 00 (NEW ZEALAND DOLLARS)***

The Silver Wraith was the first post war Rolls Royce.

It was made from 1946 to 1958 as only a chassis at the Company's Crewe factory, its former Merlin engine plant, alongside the shorter Bentley MK V1. From there the units were sent to various body builders to complete the Vehicles.

The Bentley was also available as a chassis for coachbuilders, but for the first time could be bought with a Rolls Royce built Standard Steel body. The use of the name "wraith" coincided with the established tradition of naming models after ''ghosts''.

ABOUT THIS CAR

 1949 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Chassis WFC75 in the style of Thrupp & Maberley!
 This is a ONE OFF CUSTOM BODIED CAR, THERE IS NO OTHER :)
 One NZ owner for 39 years!
 Rolling Chassis was purchased in Christchurch, New Zealand approximately in 1980 from Invercargill, New Zealand. Worth noting here that The Cooperative Wholesale Society (CWS) was strong in the Glasgow (Scotland) area, with members contributions of sixpence every week ensuring that when your time was up, you went out in a Rolls Royce. As CWS was the biggest buyer of these chassis at the time, it is likely that chassis WFC75 was bought by the CWS and bodied as a hearse for their funeral business at their body/ shop works. The Wraith was not the only RR chassis to be bodied as a hearse, as we have heard of Phantom models that also had that treatment.
 Forward from 1949 to 1980, a chassis with a worn out body became available. It had had its day and we presume that it was exported to Christchurch where engineering business Lancaster Motors did a restoration on the chassis, and the body was discarded.
 Around this time, the Christchurch family that purchased the car in the eighties came up with the idea of doing a RR restoration. An inspection of the chassis was carried out and after coming across a large poster of a stunning RR phantom supplied to an Indian Rajah; and after a trip to Auto Restorations of Christchurch; the result was a drawing of what could be made that would be suitable for the chassis. The result was a contract on drip feed and eventually amazing results of a beautiful hand built body to grace a worthy chassis.
 On the details of the body, the Original VAN STYLE body had front mudguards with a bonnet top, radiator, firewall/ bulkhead, instruments and all mechanicals as well as headlights. So Auto Restorations under the instructions of the very talented Allan Stanton made front guards, rear guards, all body panels, doors, trunk and interior seats. These were fabricated from aluminium, hand formed into pieces about the size of foolscap paper and welded into final shape, delicately panelled to scratch stage until final finish prior to painting.
 The result is a very desirable high class multi-use car that is a pleasure to drive and provides comfort in all weather conditions. The interior is embellished with burr walnut on door caps and instrument panels, protected with epoxy auto finish.
 The upholstery is genuine leather to a high finish.
 Improvements over the years include Modern thermostat replacing the louver-controlled original / a heater demister was fitted / Hydraulic brakes front and rear that can lock all wheels if required and modern lighting bulbs.
 Comes with various historic records dating back to 1980, including original design drawings by Auto Restorations, back and forth communication around built / restoration etc.

This is one beautiful car. a very drive able classic - perfect for Art Deco in Napier and events of the sort. Also very capable for long trips around our beautiful country New Zealand, or anywhere else for that matter.

Car will be sold WOF’d and Registered if sold in New Zealand.

FINANCE PACKAGES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST!

TRANSPORT / WORLDWIDE SHIPPING CAN BE ORGANISED ON THIS VEHICLE ON BUYER'S BEHALF AT BUYERS COST.

Viewing is STRICTLY BY PRIOR APPOINTMENT only.