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Details
Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club Annual Rally and Concours 'Best in Show' 2000
1954 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH SIX LIGHT SPORTS SALOON
COACHWORK BY H.J.MULLINER
Registration No. VPH 111
Chassis No. DLW 30
Engine No. L29D
Two tone metallic blue with grey leather interior
Engine: six cylinder in-line, overhead inlet, side exhaust valves, 4,887cc, dual choke Stromberg carburettor; Gearbox: four speed manual with floor change; Suspension: independent front by wishbone and coil spring, half elliptic springs to beam rear axle, ride control; Brakes: servo-assisted front, mechanical rear. Right hand drive.
The immediate post-war era saw a marked change for the Rolls-Royce and Bentley companies (now merged since the early 1930s). It was clear that the structure of wealth was rapidly changing and far from offering a single model production as Rolls had successfully done from 1907-1926 with their Silver Ghost, it had diversified to two distinct market areas. For the majority there was a desire for a saloon car where its owner was more than likely to be the driver and so the experience was to be more sociable and more about driving. Catering primarily for this market the twinned companies elected to aid their clientele by selling a complete car, this for the first time included the coachwork. Drawing on the popular styles of the owner/driver concept from the 1930s, an elegant and practical sports saloon was produced for them by Pressed Steel Ltd. and fitted at the factory. Designated a Standard Steel Saloon, this simple style was sold in Rolls-Royce form as the Silver Dawn (stemming from the title of an earlier Silver Ghost Car), while on the Bentley chassis the nomenclature was linked to its model evolution and designated simply the Mark Six.
Whilst these models accounted for the majority of their annual production, it was not possible for Rolls-Royce to dispense with the top end of the market with which it was so intrinsically linked from its earliest days. Alongside owner/driver saloons, in England and throughout the empire there remained a market for chauffeured limousines and for this sector, they provided rolling chassis for owners to continue the tradition of tailoring their own bodywork to their requirements. There were a handful of companies that stayed the distance into the post-war years and most would find themselves providing coachwork for the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, as it was named though in truth most coachwork was completed to a handful of designs offered by each company. Owing to their requirements of legroom for the rear passenger compartment, Rolls-Royce provided a long wheelbase variant also.
The exceptional Silver Wraith that we offer for sale is one of the most successful concours entrants ever to compete in the hugely popular Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club annual Concours and Rally event, where annually more than 1,500 cars vie for coveted awards. In June 2000, the car took no less than 4 class awards and was judged the Best in Show. That it achieved this is testament to the fastidious restoration undertaken by its exacting current owner with the aim of ultimate perfection in every aspect of the car.
The car was acquired by him in August 1991 and although on the road, had not aged well. Recently retired and with the time, facilities and skill to embark on such a project, a total restoration was initiated. The chassis was stripped down to bare metal all chassis components and mechanicals removed. It was then sand blasted and repainted. The engine was sent to renowned engineer Arthur Archer of Great Dunmow for a total rebuild, while the mechanics were rebuilt as and where necessary, from gearbox, axles and brakes through to the springs. Arthur Archer refitted the engine, rewired the chassis and carried out running checks.
Although the main steel frame of the body was in good order, the doors, underframe, scuttle and floor pans needed completely rebuilding and were attended to by the very capable owner, a process which took some 2,000 hours of his time. The restored bodywork was sent to specialists Clarke and Carter for repainting; the interior upholstery refurbished by Brian Frost and Garry Wright; the wood-trim work repolished by Joe Crabtree and chrome replated by Derby Plating - all respected as the best specialists in their fields. A further 1,500 hours of work were required to return each aspect to the car as well as fitting the original (rebuilt) radio, new rubber door seals, re-glazing, light wiring, spring gaiters and lightly waxing the underside of the car. The rebuild was finally completed nine years after its start in May 2000.
But it is not only the condition of this car that makes it unusual, the bodywork design is in itself a one-off, being to four door, six light (window) configuration, having been so ordered new by Captain C.H. Reynolds a wealthy corset manufacturer. Capt. Reynolds requested that the rear of the bodywork be slightly heavier than other H.J. Mulliner designs and that it be equipped with a towing bar. It was also to be one of the last manual transmission examples.
Since its immediate acclaim by the judges, the car has been used cautiously, covering some 3,200 miles over the last five years and remains on the road and MoT'd. With a tally of more than 3,500 hours of work invested in the finished article, the Rolls-Royce is now offered for sale at a fraction of its restoration costs, all of which are documented and supported by an extensive file of invoices and photographs.
As recognised by club judges this is one of the finest post-war Rolls-Royce in the country, deserving of close inspection and rewarding in every detail.
1954 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH SIX LIGHT SPORTS SALOON
COACHWORK BY H.J.MULLINER
Registration No. VPH 111
Chassis No. DLW 30
Engine No. L29D
Two tone metallic blue with grey leather interior
Engine: six cylinder in-line, overhead inlet, side exhaust valves, 4,887cc, dual choke Stromberg carburettor; Gearbox: four speed manual with floor change; Suspension: independent front by wishbone and coil spring, half elliptic springs to beam rear axle, ride control; Brakes: servo-assisted front, mechanical rear. Right hand drive.
The immediate post-war era saw a marked change for the Rolls-Royce and Bentley companies (now merged since the early 1930s). It was clear that the structure of wealth was rapidly changing and far from offering a single model production as Rolls had successfully done from 1907-1926 with their Silver Ghost, it had diversified to two distinct market areas. For the majority there was a desire for a saloon car where its owner was more than likely to be the driver and so the experience was to be more sociable and more about driving. Catering primarily for this market the twinned companies elected to aid their clientele by selling a complete car, this for the first time included the coachwork. Drawing on the popular styles of the owner/driver concept from the 1930s, an elegant and practical sports saloon was produced for them by Pressed Steel Ltd. and fitted at the factory. Designated a Standard Steel Saloon, this simple style was sold in Rolls-Royce form as the Silver Dawn (stemming from the title of an earlier Silver Ghost Car), while on the Bentley chassis the nomenclature was linked to its model evolution and designated simply the Mark Six.
Whilst these models accounted for the majority of their annual production, it was not possible for Rolls-Royce to dispense with the top end of the market with which it was so intrinsically linked from its earliest days. Alongside owner/driver saloons, in England and throughout the empire there remained a market for chauffeured limousines and for this sector, they provided rolling chassis for owners to continue the tradition of tailoring their own bodywork to their requirements. There were a handful of companies that stayed the distance into the post-war years and most would find themselves providing coachwork for the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, as it was named though in truth most coachwork was completed to a handful of designs offered by each company. Owing to their requirements of legroom for the rear passenger compartment, Rolls-Royce provided a long wheelbase variant also.
The exceptional Silver Wraith that we offer for sale is one of the most successful concours entrants ever to compete in the hugely popular Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club annual Concours and Rally event, where annually more than 1,500 cars vie for coveted awards. In June 2000, the car took no less than 4 class awards and was judged the Best in Show. That it achieved this is testament to the fastidious restoration undertaken by its exacting current owner with the aim of ultimate perfection in every aspect of the car.
The car was acquired by him in August 1991 and although on the road, had not aged well. Recently retired and with the time, facilities and skill to embark on such a project, a total restoration was initiated. The chassis was stripped down to bare metal all chassis components and mechanicals removed. It was then sand blasted and repainted. The engine was sent to renowned engineer Arthur Archer of Great Dunmow for a total rebuild, while the mechanics were rebuilt as and where necessary, from gearbox, axles and brakes through to the springs. Arthur Archer refitted the engine, rewired the chassis and carried out running checks.
Although the main steel frame of the body was in good order, the doors, underframe, scuttle and floor pans needed completely rebuilding and were attended to by the very capable owner, a process which took some 2,000 hours of his time. The restored bodywork was sent to specialists Clarke and Carter for repainting; the interior upholstery refurbished by Brian Frost and Garry Wright; the wood-trim work repolished by Joe Crabtree and chrome replated by Derby Plating - all respected as the best specialists in their fields. A further 1,500 hours of work were required to return each aspect to the car as well as fitting the original (rebuilt) radio, new rubber door seals, re-glazing, light wiring, spring gaiters and lightly waxing the underside of the car. The rebuild was finally completed nine years after its start in May 2000.
But it is not only the condition of this car that makes it unusual, the bodywork design is in itself a one-off, being to four door, six light (window) configuration, having been so ordered new by Captain C.H. Reynolds a wealthy corset manufacturer. Capt. Reynolds requested that the rear of the bodywork be slightly heavier than other H.J. Mulliner designs and that it be equipped with a towing bar. It was also to be one of the last manual transmission examples.
Since its immediate acclaim by the judges, the car has been used cautiously, covering some 3,200 miles over the last five years and remains on the road and MoT'd. With a tally of more than 3,500 hours of work invested in the finished article, the Rolls-Royce is now offered for sale at a fraction of its restoration costs, all of which are documented and supported by an extensive file of invoices and photographs.
As recognised by club judges this is one of the finest post-war Rolls-Royce in the country, deserving of close inspection and rewarding in every detail.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium, which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.