***Vendor supplied images***

Highlights

A striking, two-tone example of Rolls Royce’s first post-war Silver Wraith
Bought from America by a collector in the Middle East
Ready to drive and enjoy with a low recorded mileage

The Appeal

When the Second World War ended in 1945, British industry raced to transition from a war-footing to a profitable commercial operations. This meant getting civilian production underway quickly. Rolls Royce was back in business by 1946 with the launch of the Silver Wraith. The lack of development during the war, however, made for a relatively conservative, even retrospective offering.

Our car’s early life remains a mystery. We do know, however, that the car was bought from North America by a Middle Eastern collector and enthusiast. The car was the shipped to the Middle East where it is thought to have undergone a restoration. At that stage its original red and black colourway was thought to have been repainted. It makes for a very stately and striking looking example.

The History and Paperwork

A factory right-hand drive example of the post-war Silver Wraith
Built and first registered in 1950
The car was a resident of the USA during its early years
It was later bought by a Middle Eastern collector and enthusiast
Understood to have subsequently undergone a restoration
The car was reimported to the UK in late 2022
It was first registered here in November 2022
Only the current V5 in the name of the owner is on hand by way of paperwork
The Rolls Royce is registered as a Historic Vehicle
As such it is both MOT and VED exempt

The Interior

A fascinating interior which is in a good, overall condition
Remains reassuringly original, whilst retaining the potential for further improvement
Complete with lots of interesting period details and touches

It likely remained Rolls Royce’s firm belief, in 1950, that a Silver Wraith owner would employ the services of a professional driver. As such, their focus was obviously very much on the spacious rear cabin.

Therefore, the driver’s environment appears more cramped in comparison with legroom particularly seeming slightly compromised. Despite that the driver did get to enjoy the same high quality of materials and finishes as the rear passengers did. A full width bench seat is upholstered in soft black leather and stitched into vertical box pleats.

The large, slab fronted dashboard is finished in walnut and is populated with various white on black Smiths and Lucas gauges and Bakelite style switches and knobs. A large, three spoke Bakelite steering wheel is fitted with boss mounted controls for starting and idling settings.

Those familiar with later Rolls Royces may be surprised to note three foot pedals instead of two. Also, a manual gear lever is, incongruously, located to the right of the driver. This was done to help retain bench seating for three in the front if required. At this juncture a four-speed manual was the standard fitment for the Silver Wraith with more complex and expensive automatics deemed as not required for the professional driver. They did follow as a Silver Wraith option, however, in 1952.

The rear cabin features another, more accommodating, bench seat. Outer armrests are built into the side panels for extra comfort and convenience. Each side is also catered for with the obligatory ashtray and chromed lighter. Fold out picnic tables are built into the cabin partition and a walnut veneered drinks cabinet also appears to be fitted. Some delightful, original, cut crystal vases are fitted to the central window uprights. The copious amounts of walnut veneer, in the rear cabin, underlines the luxurious ambiance of this space.

The large boot contains the full-sized spare wheel, the jack and tool set. An original, stirrup-type tyre pump is also fitted here.

The Exterior

This Silver Wraith is dressed in Park Ward’s number 144 body from their catalogue
A striking design with full rear wheel “spats” and distinctive rising front wings
Complete with the distinctive “Pantheon” grill and Spirit of Ecstasy mascot

In 1950, Rolls Royce were essentially still building rolling chassis only of the Silver Wraith. The individually built bodywork was then outsourced to a specialist firm of the customer’s choosing. Park Ward was a popular choice at this time and our car wears their body style number 144.

Even in 1950, the design was considered quite conservative and was a result of the lack of active development at Rolls Royce thanks to the rigours of the war years. The enclosed rear wings, or spats, and long, sweeping front wings were quite reminiscent of pre-war cars. It certainly makes for an eye-catching, feast for the eyes, however.

The highly appealing, two-tone, red and black colourway is believed to have been its original livery. A professional respray was thought to have been undertaken, however, during the car’s Middle Eastern restoration and seems to remain in a very good overall condition. The bodywork, likewise, seems straight and in generally good order throughout.

The large steel wheels are fitted with the correct Rolls Royce wheel trims in chrome and coach lined paintwork. The high-sided, white-walled tyres are perfectly suited to the look of our car. These do appear to be losing some of the white finish, however and may need addressing by a new owner.

The Mechanics

Our car features the earlier 4,257cc straight six, “F-head” petrol engine
Power is fed to the rear wheels via a four speed, synchromesh gearbox
Our owner reports the car to be in a good, useable condition

The “F-Head” engine of the Silver Wraith was largely based on a pre-war design. Some work was done, however, to the inlets and valves which resulted in a refined and powerful unit which was capable of moving this big car with some alacrity.

Little is known about the past mechanical maintenance of this car, but the vendor does confirm that it starts, runs and stops and is ready for use.

The under-bonnet presentation is good overall but will benefit still further from a thorough clean and detailing. The underside appears solid and in good shape, no doubt aided by the car’s time in the drier climes of the USA and Middle East.

Summary

There can be little doubt that this is a magnificent looking car. The size and colourway of this majestic looking limousine is almost guaranteed to make it friends and admirers where ever it goes. The sublime Park Ward body is ideally suited to a two-tone colourway, with the red further accentuating its many swoops and curves.

This example represents an interesting ownership proposition too. It can clearly be used and enjoyed as it is and, as such, represents a huge amount of British craftsmanship for a surprisingly attainable amount of money. It also offers the prospect, however, of some further improvement and finishing to make it, surely, a shrewd investment for the future.

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