Vehicle Description
This 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith was unquestionably the finest
car in the world when it was built, and today it still puts many
luxury machines to shame. With old world presence, these are pretty
much the last of the coachbuilt cars that were hand-tailored to
their owners' tastes, making it a very special machine in today's
mass-produced world.
When you show up in this car, there's no question what it is, and
even someone who's never seen a Rolls-Royce before will innately
recognize that this is an important car with an important person
inside. The two-tone color combination was about as flashy as
Rolls-Royce got, and it highlights the most interesting aspects of
the car quite nicely, particularly that long hood and sweeping
fenders, complements of familiar Rolls-Royce coachbuilder HJ
Mulliner. The paint job was done in the mid-2000s and uses
traditional colors to great effect and it has lost none of the
hand-crafted details that make Rolls-Royce motorcars so special.
It's unlikely you'll ever see another one at a red light, and even
at shows, this car will draw a crowd because everyone recognizes
that towering grille and Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament. And
speaking of the grille, it shines up beautifully and might be the
most recognizable shape in the automotive world, and there's enough
chrome and brightwork on the rest of the car to make it look very
substantial indeed.
The opulent black and gray leather interior is every bit as
magnificent as you would hope in a car like this. For some, the
choice may seem out of character, but it was actually a very
popular choice, hearkening back to the days of early coachbuilding
where the driver would get black leather seats to protect against
stains. The front seat may very well be original, while the rear
seat and headliner were re-covered a few years ago, and the door
panels are simply too nice to be original, so they must have been
done at the same time. That's real burled walnut trim on the doors
and instrument panel, and while it shows some lights signs of age,
it also has a wonderful, warm patina that would be a shame to
erase. Centrally-mounted Smiths gauges look the same as they did
for decades, with crisp white numbers on a black background and
their unique upside-down orientation. All the handles and switches
are substantial chrome pieces that feel expensive and when it's
closed up, the interior is as quiet as a tomb. Rear seat passengers
are treated to fold-down tables and there's a well-shaped trunk
with a full-sized spare and plenty of luggage space. And as a
former livery vehicle, it's fitted with effective A/C, which you'll
welcome on long tours.
The Wraith continued to use the steadfast 4.9 liter inline-6, which
was smooth and torquey. It looks complex in the engine bay, but
works superbly and idles almost silently, moving the car with a
sophisticated hum that's perfect for the big sedan. It has been
well-maintained, which is critical in a car like this, and thanks
to a GM-sourced Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, most mechanical
parts are easy to find and relatively affordable. GM experts may
also find the front suspension familiar, while the rear axle hangs
on leather-wrapped leaf springs. Handsome painted wheel covers are
fitted inside 7.50-16 whitewall tires that look extremely
impressive.
Formerly part of a livery service, this car could be a smart
investment for such a business. We get several calls a week from
young brides looking for an old car for their special day, and
without doing too much match, it's easy to see that this
Rolls-Royce could pay for itself rather easily. A great option.
Call today!