Bonhams Cars : 1965 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase SW10

4,887cc F-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine Single Downdraft Carburetor Approximately 125bhp 4-Speed Automatic Transmission Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle 4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes *One of only 4 left-drive examples built by James Young *A fine, older restoration *Original left-hand drive car *The last word in automotive luxury THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH Rolls-Royce's first post-war model, the Silver Wraith debuted in late 1946, and employed a chassis similar to that of the Silver Dawn and MkVI Bentley, though with a 7" longer wheelbase at 10' 7". The Wraith, however, was only intended for traditional coach-built bodies rather than the MkVI's pioneering 'standard steel' bodywork. Only the bore and stroke dimensions were shared with the pre-war overhead-valve Wraith engine, the major advantage of this 'F-head' layout being its large valves and generous water jacketing around the valve seats. Manufacture of the short-wheelbase Wraith ceased in 1952, with a total production of 1,144; the long-wheelbase version continued until the introduction of the Phantom V in 1959, by which time 639 chassis had been completed. THE CAR OFFERED There are few cars as majestic as a Rolls-Royce in the immediate post-war era as exemplified by this handsome and graceful example. LELW88, as prefixed by 'L' decodes as a car that was delivered new in the rare left-hand drive form in which it remains to this day, while the additional 'L' in the middle of the VIN confirms it to have been a long wheelbase series car. This Silver Wraith is made even more special by its elegant aluminum coachwork by James Young - style reference 'SW10' – described in the literature as a 'saloon with division' and of which only four were ever produced in left-drive. A sister car, chassis LDLW115 has been a long term part of the esteemed Nethercutt Collection. This example was delivered new in March of 1956, to Mr. George Widener. According to records provided by the Rolls-Royce Foundation, Mr. Widener would keep his Silver Wraith for two years before trading it in for another car with J.S. Inskip. The next owner was Ethel Chesbrough Cates, who acquired the car on May 8, 1958. The wife of Louis Shadduck Cates, the chairman of the large mining company Phelps Dodge, Mrs. Cates would sell the car in May of 1961. By 1964 it was with George W. Huguely, Jr. of Washington, D.C. and eight years hence in the garage of Anthony L. Korteweg of River Edge, New Jersey. There is no recorded history beyond that. At some point, over a decade and a half ago, the Rolls was restored to its presentation of Brewster Claret over Masons Black with Beige whipcord fabric both front and rear. Joining the current owner's collection in 2014, the Rolls has been minimally enjoyed since acquisition and as such will require mechanical recommissioning prior to actively wafting about. A unique opportunity to acquire an exceedingly rare and special machine, it the perfect car for touring, local outings, weddings, birthdays, and bar mitzvahs.
4,887cc F-Head Inline 6-Cylinder Engine Single Downdraft Carburetor Approximately 125bhp 4-Speed Automatic Transmission Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle 4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes *One of only 4 left-drive examples built by James Young *A fine, older restoration *Original left-hand drive car *The last word in automotive luxury THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH Rolls-Royce's first post-war model, the Silver Wraith debuted in late 1946, and employed a chassis similar to that of the Silver Dawn and MkVI Bentley, though with a 7 longer wheelbase at 10' 7. The Wraith, however, was only intended for traditional coach-built bodies rather than the MkVI's pioneering 'standard steel' bodywork. Only the bore and stroke dimensions were shared with the pre-war overhead-valve Wraith engine, the major advantage of this 'F-head' layout being its large valves and generous water jacketing around the valve seats. Manufacture of the short-wheelbase Wraith ceased in 1952, with a total production of 1,144; the long-wheelbase version continued until the introduction of the Phantom V in 1959, by which time 639 chassis had been completed. THE CAR OFFERED There are few cars as majestic as a Rolls-Royce in the immediate post-war era as exemplified by this handsome and graceful example. LELW88, as prefixed by 'L' decodes as a car that was delivered new in the rare left-hand drive form in which it remains to this day, while the additional 'L' in the middle of the VIN confirms it to have been a long wheelbase series car. This Silver Wraith is made even more special by its elegant aluminum coachwork by James Young - style reference 'SW10' – described in the literature as a 'saloon with division' and of which only four were ever produced in left-drive. A sister car, chassis LDLW115 has been a long term part of the esteemed Nethercutt Collection. This example was delivered new in March of 1956, to Mr. George Widener. According to records provided by the Rolls-Royce Foundation, Mr. Widener would keep his Silver Wraith for two years before trading it in for another car with J.S. Inskip. The next owner was Ethel Chesbrough Cates, who acquired the car on May 8, 1958. The wife of Louis Shadduck Cates, the chairman of the large mining company Phelps Dodge, Mrs. Cates would sell the car in May of 1961. By 1964 it was with George W. Huguely, Jr. of Washington, D.C. and eight years hence in the garage of Anthony L. Korteweg of River Edge, New Jersey. There is no recorded history beyond that. At some point, over a decade and a half ago, the Rolls was restored to its presentation of Brewster Claret over Masons Black with Beige whipcord fabric both front and rear. Joining the current owner's collection in 2014, the Rolls has been minimally enjoyed since acquisition and as such will require mechanical recommissioning prior to actively wafting about. A unique opportunity to acquire an exceedingly rare and special machine, it the perfect car for touring, local outings, weddings, birthdays, and bar mitzvahs.