• Year of manufacture 
    1951
  • Mileage 
    57 200 mi / 92 055 km
  • Car type 
    Coupé
  • Chassis number 
    WOF17
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Interior colour 
    Red
  • Number of doors 
    4
  • Location
    United States
  • Exterior colour 
    White

Description

See inspection report, full photos, videos and more at classicpromenade.com.
We are pleased to present Zelda, a 1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Hooper Touring Limousine (chassis No. WOF17) that is a rust-free and beautiful example that has enjoyed the same owner for the past 35 years. WOF17 is a Hooper Touring Limousine with Body Design No. 8283. Zelda is one of 15 examples of this body design built during 1951.
The white livery is in excellent condition with beautiful luster and shine. Although an older repaint, there are no scratches, dents or areas where the paint has been rubbed through. There are only a few small chips where the hood opens, most of which have been touched up. The white paint is complemented by proper burgundy coach stripes. The chrome and stainless trim are all excellent, with the exception of the passenger side rear wheel cover trim ring which has peeling and imperfections. The radiator shell has the expected light scratches in the stainless. We love the style of the Hooper-designed rear quarter light glass. And the Lucas R100 headlights are beautiful and give the car an imposing and formal pre-War appearance.
The burgundy leather is soft and supple with only minimal wear present. There are no rips or tears. Matching burgundy seat belts have been added for four passengers. The wood grain is beautifully contrasted and is in very nice condition. There are no noticeable cracks or issues, it is in overall very good to excellent condition. The matching burgundy Wilton wool carpeting is done just right and in very good condition.
The interior has a multitude of custom features, including leather padded tables for rear seat occupants, foot rests, a built-in wood cabinet for cocktail requisites or other vanity items, a World Radio, etc. The tool kit is nearly complete and is under the passenger side glove box and the Owners Manual is in the glove box. The antenna comes with the car but is not mounted since it doesn't retract and would be difficult to clear a normal garage door.
The engine runs perfectly. On December 4th, 2020, we operated it for about 30-35 minutes. The oil pressure was excellent. After 30 minutes, the oil pressure reading was 22-24 pounds at idle and 34 pounds at 50 mph. The operating temperature ranged from 70 to 80 degrees C with an ambient temperature of about 72 degrees F. All the instruments, including the low fuel light warning, work great. Ask us how we know about the low fuel warning! The turn signals and semaphores all work as they should. Overall, Zelda is a delight to drive in every respect. She handles well and effortlessly keeps up with modern traffic. And the power assisted brakes work beautifully.
HISTORY OF WOF17
Zelda was purchased new by Mr. D. King who was by then running the publicly traded automotive and industrial equipment manufacturer George W. King Ltd. In Stratford, London. On July 29th, 1966, Mr. PB Williamson of Wimbledon, London purchased the Rolls from Frank Dale & Sons, trading in his 1939 Rolls-Royce. A copy of this sales invoice is included with the motorcar.
By the 1980s the Rolls had been imported to Southern California. The professional golfer, Gene Littler, enjoyed the Rolls in his collection of about 20 collector cars located in the San Diego area. He had 29 PGA Tour Tournament wins, eight PGA Championship wins and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1990. Mr. Littler just passed away in February 2019. By 1984, Mr. Littler traded the Silver Wraith into the Rolls-Royce dealership in order to acquire a Rolls-Royce Tiger Hunt motorcar. San Diego Ltd, the authorized San Diego area Rolls-Royce dealership, then offered WOF17 for sale, having accumulated about 52,000 miles. It is quite rare for Rolls-Royce dealerships to sell what was at that time a 33 year old motorcar. The Rolls was a beautiful example that had received a thorough restoration. Mr. TJ Moore also from the San Diego area purchased the Rolls for $52,000, which in 1984 was a handsome sum of money. He has enjoyed and maintained the Rolls ever since. Nearly all of the servicing since Mr. Moore acquired the Rolls has been performed by Symbolic Motor Cars. The odometer presently reads 57,185.
The Rolls is residing with its longtime owner in Southern California. Please call or text Harry Clark at 1.602.245.7200 or email us at [email protected]. We are pleased to help arrange transport worldwide.