Description
Two-door Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith “Fixed Head Coupé” by Rippon Brothers of Huddersfield.
Delivered new to its first owner, a northern UK industrialist captain, on 11 March 1950; this four-seat coupé possesses a very generous cabin space.
Bodywork in aluminium and exhibited at the London Motor Show in October 1949; at the time it was simply the most expensive car at the show, as evidenced by the period catalogue, one copy of which is in the file.
All Silver Wraiths were delivered as bare chassis and engine to various coachbuilders according to the clients’ wishes. For this reason, this model was made in only a single example!
Rippon coachwork was world-renowned for the quality of its finishes and did not pale alongside the products of more prolific coachbuilders such as Hooper, HJ Mulliner or Thrupp & Maberley.
Rippon built Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars at a rate of one of each per year until 1951, before becoming simply a dealer when demand for special bodies dried up after the war.
The Rippon Brothers firm also coachbuilt numerous Delage cars and other Darracqs.
This is a unique design by Colonel Rippon approved by his patron of the era, grandfather of the car’s last owner, who has remained in the same family all these years!
Perhaps that is why it has remained in an astonishingly original condition and retains its distinctive features, including the rear side windows that slide and a notch containing a vanity mirror still present.
Original upholstery, original veneers (re-revenished) and, of course, matching-number body and engine, the trusty 6-cylinder 4L1/ 4 engine running perfectly.
Driving this unique vehicle is an amazing experience; it is highly reliable, having recently been repatriated over more than 300 km. Gears shift well and braking is effective.
The detailed history reveals that the daughter of the first owner inherited it in the late 1950s, followed by its grandson in 1982. The car was used regularly, and the grandson recalled as a child travelling across Europe in this car during their annual summer holidays.
Attention to collectors of unique pieces: this exceptionally rare vehicle will hold a premier place in the finest collections.
Viewable by appointment in Mouscron, at the Franco-Belgian border near Tourcoing and 20 minutes from Lille.
Delivery possible to mainland France and beyond.
Part-exchange possible.
English spoken.
