- Offered from the William B. Ruger Jr. Collection
- "Fiona," a one-off Rolls-Royce created for enthusiast John
Donner
- Professionally engineered conversion to Phantom IV
specification
- Powered by the sole remaining original spare Phantom IV inline
eight-cylinder engine
- Exhaustive history and restoration file
- A fabulous, elegant creation and marvel of engineering
William B. Ruger Jr. and John Donner would have enjoyed one
another's company. Both men were avid Rolls-Royce enthusiasts, and
both had the fierce desire and means to make their dreams reality.
No finer example can be found than this Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith,
the result of Mr. Donner's desire for one of the legendary Phantom
IVs, of which just 18 were built. Unable to acquire one of these
cars, Mr. Donner acquired the Silver Wraith in 1989 and converted
it to Phantom IV specification!
The sole surviving "spare" genuine Phantom IV engine was found,
acquired, and rebuilt, then carefully installed in the Silver
Wraith, with appropriate modifications to the firewall and
reinforcements to the gearbox. Thanks to painstaking engineering
work by Mr. Donner's restorer, John Dray, the installation was
virtually seamless and unnoticeable from within the car. All of
this work was with the assistance and cooperation of Rolls-Royce,
which advised on the engine's fitment with twin SU carburetors. At
the same time, the balance of the car was restored as well, with a
conversion to the classic-style Lucas P100 headlamps and
installation of air-conditioning and an electric sunroof. Much of
the restoration was completed by Wildae Engineering, with final
finishing by P&A Wood.
The car was shown by Mr. Donner at the 1997 Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts
Club Annual Meeting, winning 1st in the Concours class. Yet "Fiona"
was very much intended to be driven and was journeyed abroad
several times, including a 1999 jaunt to Jordan and Israel.
Mr. Donner eventually sold "Fiona" to American Phantom IV
enthusiast Robert Shaffner, after which it was acquired by Mr.
Ruger. Still well-preserved and well-presented, it remains a
fascinating, fabulous vehicle�the only one of its kind and a
testament to the passion of John Donner and the good care of
William B. Ruger Jr.To view this car and others currently consigned
to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/hf19.
