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Details
1953 Paris Salon exhibit, formerly the property of Mrs Thomas Lilley
1953 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH TOURING LIMOUSINE
COACHWORK BY JAMES YOUNG
Registration No. OLA 190
Chassis No. BLW 43
Engine No. L 42 B
Mulberry with Champagne leather and fawn cloth interior
Engine: six-cylinder, in-line, overhead inlet, side exhaust valves, 4,566cc; Gearbox: automatic; Suspension: front, independent by wishbone and coil spring, rear, semi-elliptic leaf spring; Brakes: front, servo-assisted hydraulic, rear mechanical. Right hand drive.
BLW 43 was built for exhibit at the 1953 Paris Salon. It is an attractive example of James Young coachwork, to their design number WRM 30, on a long wheel base chassis and carrying features of flowing wing lines, a large boot and chrome waist-moulding. Perhaps due to its intended demonstration purpose, the Silver Wraith carried many optional extra fixtures, all of which remain intact today. These include a radio with extension speaker to the rear, heater and demister, centre armrests to the front seats, electric division, and in the rear compartment there are folding foot rests, as well as inward facing occasional seats, a central vanity set, and folding tables with mirrors. Beneath the tables is housed a cocktail set comprising two flasks, bottle opener, Schweppes tonic and four glasses! The car retains its original rear foot rug and rear cloth covers and a near complete set of tools and jack are fitted in the boot.
Having returned from Paris, later that year the car was sold in the UK to Mrs Thomas Lilley, nee Vera Sklarevskia a White Russian refugee who fled to the west with her sister and mother and who in her life married three of the richest men in England. It was registered to Lilley & Skinner December 1953, as OLA 190. The present, second owner purchased the Silver Wraith from Jack Barclay Ltd. in 1959. It was used regularly and always serviced by an appointed Rolls-Royce service station until the time of the second oil crisis in 1974 when it was deemed to be too ostentatious to be using such a car. It was therefore consigned to storage, being properly laid up and with the chrome greased, where it remained until last year. Throughout its life the total mileage is a mere 62,000.
The two ownerships and careful storage have ensured that this is today a charming, original and unspoilt coachbuilt Rolls-Royce, and having never been restored its condition is commensurate with age. On a recent inspection by Christie's staff the car started easily, but it was not driven any distance. It is sold with copies of the factory build sheets and original handbook.
The car has been recently re-commissioned for road use, with a new MoT, though rather than use it the vendor has generously decided to sell to benefit the Medical Foundation.
Further infoFmation on the Medical foundation can be found on page… of this catalogue.
1953 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH TOURING LIMOUSINE
COACHWORK BY JAMES YOUNG
Registration No. OLA 190
Chassis No. BLW 43
Engine No. L 42 B
Mulberry with Champagne leather and fawn cloth interior
Engine: six-cylinder, in-line, overhead inlet, side exhaust valves, 4,566cc; Gearbox: automatic; Suspension: front, independent by wishbone and coil spring, rear, semi-elliptic leaf spring; Brakes: front, servo-assisted hydraulic, rear mechanical. Right hand drive.
BLW 43 was built for exhibit at the 1953 Paris Salon. It is an attractive example of James Young coachwork, to their design number WRM 30, on a long wheel base chassis and carrying features of flowing wing lines, a large boot and chrome waist-moulding. Perhaps due to its intended demonstration purpose, the Silver Wraith carried many optional extra fixtures, all of which remain intact today. These include a radio with extension speaker to the rear, heater and demister, centre armrests to the front seats, electric division, and in the rear compartment there are folding foot rests, as well as inward facing occasional seats, a central vanity set, and folding tables with mirrors. Beneath the tables is housed a cocktail set comprising two flasks, bottle opener, Schweppes tonic and four glasses! The car retains its original rear foot rug and rear cloth covers and a near complete set of tools and jack are fitted in the boot.
Having returned from Paris, later that year the car was sold in the UK to Mrs Thomas Lilley, nee Vera Sklarevskia a White Russian refugee who fled to the west with her sister and mother and who in her life married three of the richest men in England. It was registered to Lilley & Skinner December 1953, as OLA 190. The present, second owner purchased the Silver Wraith from Jack Barclay Ltd. in 1959. It was used regularly and always serviced by an appointed Rolls-Royce service station until the time of the second oil crisis in 1974 when it was deemed to be too ostentatious to be using such a car. It was therefore consigned to storage, being properly laid up and with the chrome greased, where it remained until last year. Throughout its life the total mileage is a mere 62,000.
The two ownerships and careful storage have ensured that this is today a charming, original and unspoilt coachbuilt Rolls-Royce, and having never been restored its condition is commensurate with age. On a recent inspection by Christie's staff the car started easily, but it was not driven any distance. It is sold with copies of the factory build sheets and original handbook.
The car has been recently re-commissioned for road use, with a new MoT, though rather than use it the vendor has generously decided to sell to benefit the Medical Foundation.
Further infoFmation on the Medical foundation can be found on page… of this catalogue.
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.
Further details
he Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture is the only organisation in the UK that exists exclusively to provide support to survivors of torture. Every year, they treat over 3000 new clients. All have been through the most traumatic and damaging experiences, and often their only hope of recovery lies with the Foundation. In order to offer them the on-going treatment they so desperately need, the Foundation depends upon the generosity of supporters, like the owner of this car. You may also like to donate to the Foundation by contacting Jan Woolf. Medical Foundation. Star House. 104-108 Grafton Rd. London NW5 4BD. More information can be found at www.torturecare.org.uk. Thank you for any help you can offer.