1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Coupe "Sport Saloon" by Freestone & Webb
French registration document
Chassis No. WVA74
Engine No. W159A
- Elegance of the design and prestige of the bodybuilder
- Model of great nobility, unique bodywork
- Superb restoration
The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, presented in 1946, was the first new model offered after the war by the prestigious manufacturer. It was based on the chassis of the Silver Dawn and the Bentley MkVI, but slightly longer and, constituting the top of the range of the brand, it was entrusted to specialist body shops who were responsible for dressing it. Until 1952, 1,144 examples were produced and a version with an even longer wheelbase, offered until 1959, was manufactured in 639 units.
The model we are featuring was bodied by North London-based Freestone & Webb, one of Britain's finest coachbuilders who were associated with quality brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz. Its “Sport Saloon” bodywork is completely original with its tapered rear and sliding sunroof. Factory records show that it was first owned by a J. White, of Rushden (Northamptonshire), and then by Arnold Engineering and Construction Ltd, of Clydach (Swansea). Two other owners have been listed: a Londoner and then Mr. S., a member of the British aristocracy, who acquired the Wraith in December 1963.
This beautiful automobile would have benefited in 1991 from major mechanical work carried out at Rolls-Royce Motors, in Crewe, for a total amount of £40,000. When its owner acquired it in 2016 during an Artcurial sale, the car was in beautiful condition but, very demanding, it benefited from numerous in-depth works. The beautiful Rolls is then dismantled, its engine, increased to 4.9L, is rebuilt, its mechanical gearbox is overhauled, as well as the brakes and the axle, electrical circuit redone, demetallization, micro-blasting, brightening, polishing, copper plating of the parts , complete painting. In short, nearly €50,000 was spent at Castels Automobiles in Dordogne to restore all its splendor to this exceptional automobile from both an aesthetic and mechanical point of view. The two-tone bodywork is complemented by a beautifully finished interior, accented with tan leather seating and matching cloth door trim. This luxury of presentation is enhanced by beautiful woodwork and a cocktail box in the rear compartment. The trunk opens and serves as a support on which to place a picnic case, with a curtain closing the trunk just behind. It will be delivered to its future owner with its historical files and successive restorations (invoices).
With its elegant bodywork and luxurious appointments, this unique model dressed by one of the most prestigious coachbuilders, embodies the automobile aristocracy seen by British culture, at the time of the revival of the 1950s. Charismatic, elegant, exclusive, luxurious, it has all the original attributes of the brand for a demanding gentleman collector.
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French title
Chassis n° WVA74
Engine n° W159A
- Elegant design and prestigious coachbuilder
- Unique example, noble model
- Superb restoration
The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, presented in 1946, was the first new model to be offered by the highly prestigious constructor after the war. It was based on the chassis of the Silver Dawn and the Bentley MkVI, but with a slightly longer wheelbase. Being the marque's top of the range model, it was bodied by specialist coachbuilders. Some 1,144 examples were produced through to 1952, with 639 examples of an even longer wheelbase version built until 1959.
The example on offer was bodied by Freestone & Webb, based in north London, one of the top British coachbuilders working with the most prestigious marques, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes-Benz. The car features a "Sport Saloon" body, with tapered rear end and sliding sunroof. The factory register tells us that the car was first owned by a certain J.White of Rushden (Northamptonshire), before passing on to Arnold Engineering and Construction Ltd, of Clydach (Swansea). There are two other owners recorded here, the first from London and the second a Mr S., a member of the British aristocracy, who acquired the Wraith in December 1963.
This stunning automobile had major mechanical work carried out in 1991 by Rolls-Royce Motors, in Crewe, for the cost of £40 000. The current owner bought the car, in excellent condition, at an Artcurial sale in 2016. Setting the highest standards for his car, however, he had extensive, in-depth work carried out. The charming Rolls was taken apart, the 4.9-litre engine rebuilt, its mechanical gearbox overhauled and the brakes and electrical circuit refurbished. It was also subjected to demetallisation, microblasting, brightening, polishing, with parts copper plated and finally the whole car was fully re-painted. In short, close to €50 000 was spent at Castels Automobiles in Dordogne to return this exceptional automobile to its original splendour, both aesthetically and mechanically. The two-tone coachwork is complemented by a magnificently finished interior, complete with tan leather seats and door cards in matching cloth. The wood trim adds to the level of luxury and there is a cocktail cabinet fitted in the rear compartment. The trunk opens and serves as a support on which a picnic case can sit, with a curtain that closes the chest just behind it. It will be delivered to its future owner with a history file and files of invoices relating to successive restorations.
With its elegant coachwork and luxury fittings, this unique model bodied by one of the most prestigious coachbuilders, represents the ultimate in aristocratic motoring from a British point of view, in the post-war period of revival. Charismatic, elegant, exclusive, luxurious, it possesses all the marque's original features that a demanding collector could want.
