The first post-war Rolls Royces rolled off the assembly line in 1946 with the introduction of the Silver Wraith. Built until 1958, the Silver Wraith was marketed as the 25/30 hp replacement for the 1939 Wraith that was in their smaller 20 hp and 20/25 hp market sector. It was produced as a chassis to be delivered to coachbuilders who would then put their own bodies on them.
The engine was improved with chromium-plated cylinder bores, a more rigid chassis frame with new independent front suspension, and a new synchromesh gearbox for easier shifting. All Silver Wraiths used a straight six-cylinder engine that ranged in displacement from 4.3 L for the 1946-1951 model years to 4.9 L for the 1955-1958 model years. Only a four-speed manual gearbox was available at first, but a four-speed General Motors Hydramatic automatic was available starting in 1952.
Most coachbuilders that were provided with a chassis built a 4-door saloon or limousine body, leading to many countries like Ireland, Brazil, and Zimbabwe using them as their presidential state cars.
This particular example, Chassis # ELW.14, was delivered to H. J. Mulliner & Co. on August 17th, 1955 who put a touring limousine body on it. The complete car was then delivered on October 18th, 1955 to Bowmaker Ltd. in London for a Sir Arthur Morse with the ownership having been registered on November 9th, 1955. This Silver Wraith donned a two-tone Shell Gray with Black Pearl exterior with red hide upholstery. Special features noted on the chassis specification sheet include no step irons, a roof aerial, and an extension speaker for the radio.
The included ownership card shows a change of ownership on August 13th, 1958 to a Mrs. V.G. Walker with the address listed as The Ritz Hotel in London. On October 13th, 1964, it was sold to Motor Sales London Ltd. who likely sold it to a D. Hayes of Essex on December 11th, 1965.
While ownership documentation past this point does not exist, the most recent owner, well-known Allentown, PA collector Bernie Berman, was the custodian of this Rolls Royce for over 30 years. During his ownership, this Silver Wraith was always driven and exquisitely serviced, with a few interior and exterior blemishes to show for it. We also believe that the full black repaint was completed either during his ownership or shortly before. As it sits, the car should see some additional servicing to be considered reliable, but is otherwise fundamentally a nice example of a classic Rolls-Royce limousine. Whether it is being driven or used as a chauffeur vehicle, a 1950s Rolls-Royce is one of the most surefire ways to leave an impression regardless of the occasion. Do not miss out on the opportunity to own the last car to be sold from the Bernie Berman Collection.
Included in the sale is the original tool kit, jack, and an unused matching spare as well as the Rolls Royce Chassis Data Card.
