1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Hooper Empress Limousine

Named after an old Scottish word meaning “ghost” or “spirit”, the Wraith served as a sort of bridge between old and new ways, mixing as it did independent and and solid axle suspension, overhead and side valves, hydraulic and mechanical brakes, and a rigid, modern chassis topped exclusively with hand fabricated coachbuilt bodywork.

Some 1,883 were made over a 12 year run, figures which speak of the even greater exclusivity of Rolls-Royce automobiles at the time.

This car wears traditional Hooper & Co. limousine bodywork, and is one of fewer than 640 standard long-wheelbase cars made from 1953-1958. Elegant dark paintwork is contrasted and complemented by tasteful scallops of gold tapering towards fully spatted rear wheels, though the car’s most striking feature is certainly the imposing nose with its ancient Roman temple of a grille flanked by massive, gleaming Lucas headlights.

Octagonal factory wheel covers and Firestone wide whitewall tires are pitch perfect, and represent a look worth maintaining when new rubber is needed. Note the rearward opening back doors, which are designed to allow more graceful ingress and egress. A worthwhile feature, these doors nonetheless remained absent from Rolls-Royce catalogs for nearly half a century, only to be reintroduced on 2003’s Phantom VII to an overwhelmingly positive reception.

Starting from the chauffeur’s perspective, the interior presents a beautifully finished wood dashboard with comprehensive instrumentation, albeit excluding an unbecomingly sporty tachometer. According to Rolls custom, the large, centrally located speedometer sweeps clockwise from the 1 to 11 o’clock positions.

Left hand drive is obvious, though optional air conditioning is less so.

In back, special individuals are treated to a wide, softly cushioned leather sofa, as well as essentially unrestricted legroom despite the car’s space-eating fixed central cabin divider with integral sliding glass partition and finely crafted wood cabinetry.

Beneath the centrally hinged two-piece hood rests a 4.9 liter straight-six with a somewhat unusual F-head configuration. A hybrid overhead/side valve system, F-head equipped engines utilize overhead intake and side mounted exhaust valves, an arrangement well suited to low revving designs prioritizing refinement and low end torque over performance or efficiency.

A manual 4-speed transmission was standard, however this car benefits from the optional GM-sourced Hydramatic with an identical number of forward gears. Brakes are an unusual but interesting mix of hydraulically and mechanically actuated (front to rear, respectively), and both are servo boosted for lessened driver effort.

Steering too is hydraulically assisted, while suspension consists of coil sprung A arms in front and a semi-elliptic leaf sprung solid axle in back.

This car is offered without known history.

Rolls-Royce automobiles have always been extraordinary machines, though the Silver Wraith was among the last built in very small batches to serve very orthodox needs. Left-hand drive, a/c, and an automatic transmission make this one particularly ideal for modern North American roads. Estimated $50,000 - $80,000

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL BIDDERS

It should be noted that this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

We have not started or driven the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

Please note that the title for this vehicle is in transit.