1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Limousine Chassis no. ALW5

1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Limousine
Chassis no. ALW5

4,566cc F-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Carburetor
Approximately 125bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle 4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

* Extremely rare Design no. 408 Park Ward Limousine
* Only two owners in the last 37 years
* Nicely restored with air conditioning and upgraded stereo
* Superior waftability

THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH

Rolls-Royce's first post-war model, the Silver Wraith debuted in late 1946 and employed a chassis similar to that of the Silver Dawn and MkVI Bentley, though with a 7" longer wheelbase at 10' 7". The Wraith, however, was only intended for traditional coachbuilt bodies rather than the MkVI's pioneering 'standard steel' bodywork. Only the bore and stroke dimensions were shared with the pre-war overhead-valve Wraith engine, the major advantage of this 'F-head' layout being its large valves and generous water jacketing around the valve seats. Manufacture of the short-wheelbase Wraith ceased in 1952, with a total production of 1,144; the long-wheelbase version continued until the introduction of the Phantom V in 1959, by which time 639 chassis had been completed.

THE CAR OFFERED

This Silver Wraith Special Touring Limousine is one of only a handful of examples to be delivered with body style number 408 from Park Ward. A long wheelbase example of the second series of the model, it is thusly fitted with the more reliable 4,566cc straight six. This example, serial number ALW5, was ordered new as a factory demonstrator and VIP transport for Glascow, Scotland division of Rolls-Royce. Specified as a 7-passenger limousine, it was the first Silver Wraith bodied in Design no. 408. Introduced in May of 1952 and produced through September of 1953, a mere eight cars would be so bodied before style was replaced with the slightly different Design no. 551 in October 1953. According to copies of the factory build records, this car was finished in the understated but regal combination of Black over Biege leather up front and Fawn cloth in the rear. It would remain in the Glaswegian Rolls-Royce company motor pool for many years before eventually making its way to the United States.

A California car for some time, it was in the Palm Springs garage of Robert Jerald Hill for nearly a score of years from January 1981 until the entering the current collection in 2008. A restoration project at the time of purchase, it was fully restored and modernized. The car is reported to have been completed disassembled, stripped to bare metal, and rebuilt. Repainted in two-tone metallic claret and silver, the interior was retrimmed in light grey leather up front and broadcloth in the rear with matching claret carpets piped in light grey. Modern air conditioning and stereo was installed along with an A/V system in the rear. Since completion, the car has been sparingly used. Most recently, it has been in dry storage for a few years with minimal use.

Accompanied by copies of its Rolls-Royce build sheets and Rolls-Royce Owner's Club records, the car is featured in Rolls-Royce: The Classic Elegance and Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn & Silver Wraith, each of which feature pictures of the car in period. Call Jeeves, grab the Grey Poupon and arrive in style to the next car show, tour, or restaurant reservation.