1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Empress Line Limousine

1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase Empress Line Limousine
Coachwork by Hooper & Co.
Chassis no. LDLW18
Engine no. L17D
4,887cc F-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Carburetor
Approximately 125bhp
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Original left-hand drive car
*Rare Empress Line coachwork
*Copies of factory records on file
*Offered from long term private ownership

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 MOTORCAR OFFERED

Produced by Hooper & Co. the 'Empress Line' was styled by Osmond Rivers and had been called the 'New Look' by him when it debuted but would ultimately gain its pseudonym in honor of the newly crowned monarch. As its first designation would suggest, it was one of very few coach-built designs that are truly post-war in their origin and yet have the grace of some of the most elegant of pre-war bodies. It is perhaps not surprising that it came from the ever-modern house of Hooper, who had survived the transition from carriages to cars and could now perpetuate themselves into the second half of the 20th century. The 'New Look' was first seen at the 1950 London Motor Show, where it received 1st Prize from the Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers in their awards for closed cars. It became so successful that it continued to be built by Hooper until 1958, predominantly on Rolls-Royce and Daimlers, as well as a few Bentley models.

This handsome Silver Wraith is one such Empress style car, which as the 'L' prefix to its chassis number confirms was built on the left-hand drive chassis, and the central 'L' denotes it to have been a Long Wheelbase car. Its original owner is listed on the Hooper records as being P. L. Weiller, with no country location listed, although by name it would appear to be French or Swiss French, and notes its body number to have been 9998/S. Later ownership is listed with the RROC beginning in 1978, suggesting that it had only just arrived in the USA then. That first US owner is noted as Riley L. Hogan of Brandon, Florida, followed by Martin J. Roess of St. Petersburg in the same state in 1987, and then Steven Elkman of New York City in 1987.

The shapely design of its coachwork lends itself well to a pair of colors, and in this case the chosen scheme is of the sweeping front fenders, roof and tail section in black, with the middle a light grey. The light grey is offset on the inside of the car in which front and rear seating is sectioned with a division, the front compartment has the more practical leather upholstery, while the rear is a luxurious period cloth. Already regal in its design, the car is accented on the exterior with majestic large scale Lucas headlamps out front and an opera style light on its roof, suggesting it to have been in some type of formal use during its career.

Offered from long term collection ownership, the car has received only modest use in this custody and is not presently running, despite a recent attempt to revive it. When it comes to the aesthetics the Silver Wraith has the appearance of an older restoration of its paintwork, while it is conceivable that the interior is the original or else was replaced some considerable time ago. Of particular note is some rot to the driver's side rear pillar which is showing through the door trim and will likely need attention also.

A rare car in both its sweeping lines and driver configuration, this timeless coachbuilt car is deserving of refurbishment.