"CLASSIC OF THE DAY"
Featuring
1954 ROLLS ROYCE SILVER WRAITH
Coachbuilder :
Park Ward
Body Type :
Long Wheel Base Drophead Coupe
Colour :
Brewster Green and Cream
Trim :
Beige Leather
History :
Manufacture of Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars soon resumed in 1946
after World War II with production of the Silver Wraith. It was
initially offered with the same engine dimensions as the pre-war Wraith
and 4 ¼ Litre Bentley, but cylinder head design was entirely different,
being cast in aluminium alloy and containing only the inlet valves;
spent gases exhaust through valves in the cylinder block. Front
suspension is by a robust coil spring twin fulcrum arm system, a much
simplified development of Phantom III and Wraith equipment. It is
mounted on a chassis frame with the same great strength, fitted with
orthodox leaf springs at the rear. It came in two lengths, a standard
127 inch chassis and a long wheel base variant measuring 133 inches. The
familiar delightful gear shift was retained with automatic transmission
becoming an option from 1953 onwards. The automatic gearbox was
effectively a refined and developed version of the General Motors
design. The introduction of this innovation coincided with the widening
of the cylinder bores to 3.625 inches. This allied to an unchanged
stroke of 4.5 inches enlarged the engine capacity to 4566cc. The famous
servo assisted braking system is partially hydraulic and the last cars
have power assisted steering with a 4887cc engine. The Silver Wraith
chassis were offered until 1959 and were always fitted with handmade
individually crafted coachwork. The war years had certainly taken their
toll on the coach building industry in England, with many famous names
ceasing to exist by the mid 1940’s. However some of the most established
companies did survive, such as H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward and Hooper who
between them were responsible for designing and creating some of the
most elegant and stylish coachwork fitted to the Silver Wraith chassis. A
total of 1,886 Silver Wraiths were produced between 1946 and 1959 and
were ordered by a diverse cross section of customers, including
governments who purchased them for Presidential use. A number of cars
were purchased by nobility and Royal families all over the world. The
Silver Wraith also found favour amongst captains of industry as well as
recognised stars in the entertainment world, making it a very successful
return to motor car production for Rolls-Royce. Chassis No BLW77 was
completed at the Park Ward works in Willesden in April of 1954, built to
the order of Neville Industrial Securities. It was built to Design No
547 and was the only car to be completed in this style, fitted with a
power hood, power windows and rear wheel spats. It could be described as
Park Wards most stylish creation on the long wheel base Silver Wraith
chassis. It was purchased by Frank Dale & Stepsons in the early
1980’s from a Swedish collector and restored at this time; the work
included a bare metal re-paint, new interior, new hood and mechanical
preparation. It subsequently attended a number of concours events where
it was regularly rewarded for its quality, elegance and style. It has
remained in our collection ever since, used on a regular basis
throughout the year attending motoring events and social functions. It
has been maintained in our workshops throughout to ensure reliability,
correct performance and pleasurable motoring. It is widely admired
wherever it goes and is now offered for sale for the first time on over
three decades complete with tools and original handbook.
Condition :
An older restoration still in good condition throughout.
Technical Data :
Four speed automatic gearbox, 6 cylinder in line configuration engine,
4.5 litres displacement, 4566cc capacity. Drum brakes servo-assisted.
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