1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 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 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.

The auction example is one of 650 standard long-wheelbase cars constructed from 1953-1958, all of which were supplied as bare chassis.

This example was fitted with formal limousine bodywork from Park Ward, a London-based coachbuilder with historic marque ties–by 1961 it would merge with H.J. Mulliner & Co. (itself incorporated into Rolls from 1959) to form Mulliner Park Ward.

Mulliner constructed its last body in 1991, though the name lives on as the personal commissioning department of modern-day Bentley.

Note the auction car’s extraordinary rear fenders, giant, gleaming Lucas headlights, and equally large-scale rear-hinged rear doors.

A partition divides the driver and passenger compartments, and as was often specified with these types of bespoke builds, each half of the cabin features different upholstery as well. The driver’s accommodations look comfortable, the passenger’s palatial.

Fittings are traditional Rolls-Royce, including large swaths of wood veneers, heavy, polished switchgear, and large, simple, easily legible instruments.

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.

The car is sold with limited documentation.

Rolls-Royces 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 and an automatic transmission make this one ideal for modern North American roads.

Estimated $20,000 - $30,000.

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.