Beschreibung:

1953 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH LIMOUSINE COACHWORK BY HOOPER AND CO. Registration No. 251 JBC Chassis No. LBLW 33 Engine No. L32B Black with brown leather interior. Engine: Series D, six cylinder in line, 4,566cc, 130bhp at 4,000rpm; Gearbox: three speed automatic; Suspension: front, independent with coil springs and wishbones, rear, semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel, servo assisted drum brakes, mechanical at rear, hydraulic at front. Left hand drive. After the Second World War Rolls-Royce and Bentley production was established at Crewe and a marked change in philosophy was introduced by the decision to build complete motor cars rather than chassis only, to be clad by established coachbuilders. A massive cruiciform chassis was designed with independent front suspension and a 4½ litre engine of new design, known as the B60, and featuring overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves, all push-rod operated. Hydraulic operation of the front brakes was introduced but the traditional gearbox-driven mechanical servo was retained to enhance the rod-operated rear brakes. A novel item was variable ride control via the rear shock absorbers controlled by the driver from a steering wheel quadrant marked Hard and Soft. Bodywork produced by Pressed Steel Ltd was factory fitted on these chassis being known as the Bentley Mk VI and the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn with only a few chassis going to coachbuilders for individual treatment. At the same time, it was necessary that Rolls-Royce should have a model supplied in chassis form for coachbuilders to retain the exclusive individuality of the marque which was still important to many of the company's customers. The Silver Wraith was the version of the new chassis developed for this purpose and H.J Mulliner, Hooper, Park Ward and Freestone and Webb bodied some 1,700 cars during the model's twelve year production run between 1947 and 1959. The majority were formal limousines with divisions and were popular with Heads of State and Ambassadors. In fact, this example was first owned by the Foreign Office, Whitehall according to the old style log book, having been first registered in July 1953. The ownership changed in 1961 and again in the Spring of 1975, with the present owner acquiring the car in July 1975, making four recorded keepers in all. On file are many invoices, some dating back to 1976 and the most recent of which relate to work expended in the early 1990's, after which the present owner put the car into storage where it has remained until recently. The Wraith sports traditional Hooper limousine coachwork, painted black and it is a left hand drive model; the body is a little tired in places although appears to be generally sound. The interior has original leather upholstery to the front and rear compartments and is original to the car; the front passenger seat has aged now and will require refurbishment, whereas the rear seats and twin folding occasional seats are in good condition. Being a limousine model, a glass division is fitted. The Wraith has a three speed automatic transmission and standard 4½ litre engine. The present mechanical condition is unknown as we have not started the car due to a flat battery and it has been in storage for some years. Under the bonnet the engine appears to be intact and sound, requiring some cosmetic attention. The car is sold with the accompanying paperwork although does not have a current MoT certificate. NO RESERVE