1947 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH TOURING LIMOUSINE BY HOOPER
HISTORY OF THE MODEL
The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith represents an update to the company’s late prewar vehicles and the last model to be constructed as chassis with interior and body built to customer specifications. Wraiths are powered by an overhead-valve 4-1/4 litre engine and four-speed transmission with the top three gears synchromesh. Early models have a wheelbase of 127.” The Brakes are hydro-mechanical with servo-assist to the fronts. Hydraulic shocks and a central chassis lubrication system round out the chassis features. Instruments comprise speedometer, amps, water temperature, oil pressure, fuel, clock. As would be expected from Rolls-Royce, the lavish interior is accented with burled walnut dash, tool drawer, door cappings, divider partition cappings and picnic tables.
THIS VEHICLE
This vehicle has Touring Limousine coachwork by Hooper design #8034, one of 69 produced. Special body features include a sunroof over the driver’s compartment, electric divider window, radio with hidden antenna, picnic tables, bar, rear window shade, removable vanity mirror and a rare electrically operated driver’s window.
In 1958, the vehicle returned to the factory for a replacement engine, #W.142 from vehicle #WYA31 (original engine W137A), a repaint and the fawn cloth interior retrimmed in leather.
Chassis # WA52 was delivered to Hooper on June 6, 1947. Ownership history as follows:
RESTORATION
From 2009 to 2015, the vehicle was subject to a comprehensive mechanical, body and interior restoration by its enthusiast owner, Davie Gillespie. Receipts for work during this time period totaled $78,480 and are included in the history file. During restoration, the engine block was replaced with #W49E from Park Ward Saloon chassis #LWME16, reportedly the New York show car.
In April of 2015, the vehicle won a National Award at the Rolls-Royce Owners Club Annual Meet in April 2015 at Orlando, Florida.
This 1947 Silver Wraith is one of the last truly great touring limousines from the esteemed maker and is ideally suited for touring and concours. Few have been treated to such caring ownership and run as a Rolls should!
