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2021 Shannons '40th Anniversary' Timed Online Auction
Lot
106

1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 'Park Ward' Saloon

$38,100

Sydney

Sold

Specifications

Engine In-line 6-cylinder, 4200c
Gearbox 4-speed manual
Body Work Saloon
Colour Old English White
Interior Grey
Trim Leather
Wheels Steel Disc
Brakes Drum

Auction
Notice (Form 11)

Description

This lot is no longer available

The first post-war model to emerge from Crewe, the Silver Wraith was introduced by Rolls-Royce in April 1946 and proved a worthy successor to both the pre-war Wraith and the larger Phantom III.  In production for more than a decade, the Silver Wraith was also the final coachbuilt Rolls-Royce, with each chassis bodied to the individual requirements of the customer by the finest coachbuilders of the period.  Mechanically conventional, the Silver Wraith was powered by a smooth six-cylinder unit initially displacing 4257cc, enlarged to 4566cc in 1951 with the capacity further expanded to 4887cc in 1954.  An automatic transmission, sourced from General Motors, was offered as an option from 1952 and proved particularly popular in the all-important American market.  The Silver Wraith’s suspension consisted of coil springs up front and a live axle at the rear with semi-elliptic springs, while hydraulic brakes at the front (mechanical at the rear) proved adequate at slowing up these stately motorcars.  An extended wheelbase was offered from 1951 and while a number of Silver Wraiths were sold to owner-drivers, the majority were delivered to customers who expected to be chauffeured and many came with a division.  One of the most expensive cars on the market in the immediate post-war period, some 1,883 Silver Wraiths were built in total, of which 1,244 were on the shorter wheelbase.