Rolls-Royce’s first post-war model
Also the last car built as a chassis only
Extensive and hilarious production records
Preserved largely in its original condition
When Rolls-Royce began building motor cars again after the war, the world had become a rather different place. Derby had had its day, and car production moved to Crewe, where Merlin aero engines had previously been built. The clientele had changed too. What had not changed was Rolls-Royce’s ambition. It still regarded itself as the maker of the finest and most luxurious cars in the world.
The Silver Wraith arrived in 1946 as the first new post-war model. The new ‘small’ Rolls-Royce remained the only one until 1950, when production of the great Phantom finally resumed. Mechanically, it was closely related to the Wraith of 1938. Beneath the bonnet was initially a 4.3-litre straight-six, enlarged to 4.6 litres in 1951 and eventually to 4.9 litres. How many horsepower all this amounted to Rolls-Royce still declined to say. The output was still ‘sufficient’. A gentleman really did not need to know much more.
With the Silver Wraith, too, Rolls-Royce initially supplied only the chassis. What went on top was a matter for customer and coachbuilder. Park Ward, H.J. Mulliner, Hooper, James Young and others created everything from comparatively restrained Sports Saloons to imposing state limousines. Those with sufficient funds and sufficiently definite ideas could have their Rolls-Royce more or less exactly as they wanted it.
While the ‘even smaller’ Silver Dawn was available from 1949 with a standard factory body, the Silver Wraith remained resolutely old school. A long-wheelbase chassis joined the range in 1951, intended chiefly for large limousines and ceremonial cars. Heads of state and royal households found plenty of use for it.
The Silver Wraith remained in production until 1959. Over those thirteen years, the motoring world changed considerably, while the car itself remained remarkably faithful to its principles. That is much of its appeal today. The Silver Wraith formed a link between the old world and the modern one – bespoke, discreet and, naturally, expensive. Some traditions simply did not need reinventing after the war.
Thanks to the remarkable Rolls-Royce archives, the creation of this particular Silver Wraith in 1954 is unusually well documented. The chassis was purchased by »The Butterley Co. Ltd.«, the company of a Mr E.F. Wright. He already owned a Rolls-Royce with coachwork by James Young, but his new car was to be clothed by Hooper. The intense correspondence that continued for months makes one admire, even today, the patience of those at Rolls-Royce and Hooper in particular. Suffice it to say, Mr Wright was not an easy customer. His staff fired off special requests and alterations to Hooper in staccato fashion, all of which live on today in the form of a substantial pile of memoranda.
When the Cadillac Green Silver Wraith finally left Hooper’s works, there must have been celebrations. Except that the Rolls-Royce was back the following year to have a minor mishap repaired. Little is known of its subsequent life, apart from some internal correspondence concerning the availability of a pane of glass. Mounted on the dashboard is a plaque bearing the name of the 9th Earl Spencer. Whether the car ever actually belonged to Princess Diana’s father, however, remains unproven.
The Silver Wraith came from Denmark to Germany in the 2000s and from there to Austria in 2013. Following a thorough overhaul by a specialist, it was ready for registration. Taken off the road in 2017, this remarkably original Rolls-Royce now awaits a sympathetic recommissioning. And who knows – perhaps the history of this imposing motor car still has rather more to reveal than the escapades of Mr Wright.