Coys Auction - The Spirit of Motoring
Ascot Racecourse,
Ascot,
Berkshire SL5 7JX
Saturday 3 October 2009
Registration Number: 998 FYR Chassis Number: WHD 40
Rolls-Royce recommenced their production post-war with the Silver Wraith, which featured a similar new chassis to its Mk VI Bentley cousin while retaining traditional coach built bodywork. The 4257cc power unit was entirely new and featured an aluminium alloy cylinder head carrying traditional ‘F’ head type Rolls valve gear. The manual four speed gearbox was the only option available until 1952, with production finally ceasing the following year. By this time just 1,244 chassis had been laid down in total.
Chassis WHD 40, manufactured in 1950, carries traditional early post-war coach built bodywork by one of the most highly regarded coach houses; Park Ward. Its coachwork is an innovative design first shown by Park Ward at the 1949 Earls Court Show. Known as design number 144, the design benefits from the long sweeping t