1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

This Silver Wraith was built in 1947 and delivered new to the Governor of Gibraltar. It was used for ceremonial duties, conveying many of dignitaries visiting Gibraltar, such as Royal family members, British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill and American President, Dwight Eisenhower. 

The Car returned to the UK in 1970 and underwent a full body restoration and engine rebuild at the engineering department of Hertfordshire University. 

When the current owner – only the second since repatriation – bought the car they completely refurbished the whole interior, and fitted whitewall tyres.

The HJ Mulliner coachwork possesses exterior lines that exude an aura of timeless sophistication. From its graceful curves to its stately presence, every element of the Wraith’s design reflects the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail characteristic of the Rolls Royce marque.

At first glance the car commands attention with its imposing stature and regal demeanour. Its elongated bonnet, punctuated with the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy ornament, sets the tone for the grandeur that awaits, and it flows seamlessly into the bold, iconic grille, which proudly bears the Rolls Royce emblem, a symbol of prestige and excellence.

The bodywork wears its years very well, and considering it's been a working Rolls-Royce as part of a wedding hire fleet it has held up admirably. There are areas that are starting to lift and crack slightly – on the seams above the rear wings, for instance. The edge of the panel in between the nearside engine cover and the door also has some minor damage, and that famous grille has some small dents.

But overall the car still looks like a study in refined elegance. Its long, sweeping lines create a sense of fluidity and grace, accentuated by the absence of unnecessary embellishments. The bodywork, meticulously handcrafted, passes from one area to another without jarring, reflecting the skillful artistry of the craftsmen who shaped it.

The huge head lights flank that unmistakable grille, and are joined by a glorious trio of spotlights. All the car’s brightwork looks lovely.

The woodwork in particular is in beautiful condition, as are the gauges and switchgear. It’s not as highly figured as some veneers, and all the better for it in our view.

The gauges themselves are minor artworks – just take in the huge Smiths speedometer, ably assisted by a supporting cast of auxiliary instruments. In the center of the steering wheel are controls for idle speed and ignition advance/retard.

Slung under the wooden dashboard is a period-perfect HMV radio, although we don’t know whether this is currently working. But either way, it’s a lovely addition to a striking interior space.

The largely re-upholstered cabin is adorned with cream leather, which also looks to be in remarkably good shape, bearing in mind that it’s been sat in by many hundreds of happy couples over the past 40+ years. Obviously, leather of this vintage did without the chemical coatings that make today’s car interiors look synthetic, and although it does show signs of wear, especially on the driver’s seat, it suits the car’s vintage.

Powering the Silver Wraith is a robust 4.6 litre inline-six engine.

Listen to it idle – you’ll need a quiet room, because it barely makes a whisper. It had a top end rebuild in 2015, which explains it’s silky tones.

Paired with a four-speed manual transmission, the Silver Wraith offers seamless gear changes, again, unlike any other car from this period, ensuring you’ll progress smoothly.

As this car has formed part of a wedding fleet, it has needed to perform without exception and as such has always been kept in the very best of mechanical conditions.

The engine bay isn’t pristine, but instead looks healthy, quite smart and, above all, highly original, with everything in place and to original spec, as far as we can tell.

The car’s underside shows the immensely strong chassis, and reveals the independent front suspension, which is equipped with an anti-roll bar – not something you’ll find on many cars of this vintage.

The chassis itself and the outriggers look solid, although there are some small areas of corrosion in the outer underbody areas, along with some wooden spats that are starting to come away from the bodywork. 

This car was originally supplied to the Governor of Gibraltar, and the original Rolls Royce guarantee is with the car, listing him as CS Russo Esq, of 6 Library Ramp, Gibraltar. The vendor is the car’s second UK owner, and it has been in their registered ownership since 1984. The car also comes with its original Rolls Royce History Card, chassis specification paperwork and road test report.

There is an invoice from 2022 from Harvey Walsh Ltd for £6434 for recommissioning work on the car (please see the Documentation section of this listing). The owner says;

‘Any royals, or dignitaries from the late 1940s to early 1970s who visited Gibraltar would have ridden in this car, ranging from the British monarchy to Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower. The car returned to the UK in the 1970s where it went through a complete strip down of the body and an engine rebuild. 

‘The Rolls Royce was then used as a wedding car and has carried numerous celebrities. As well as weddings the car has also appeared in many films and photoshoots.

‘In the 1990s the car’s interior was completely refurbished, and in 2015 the top of the engine was completely overhauled and rebuilt [please see Documentation]. The car has also benefited with new rear leaf springs, and in 2024 a new replacement motor for the central division.’

There can’t be many 1947-vintage Rolls Royce's with so few owners from new. And the fact that this one’s first owner was the Governor of Gibraltar makes the list of previous passengers a good basis for a book on its own. We have no doubt that this vehicle has many a tale to tell. We estimate that it will sell for £20,000-£30-000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in London Colney, Hertfordshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.