Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
Overview
Manufacturer	Rolls-Royce Ltd
Production	1946–1959; 1883 produced
Body and chassis
Related	Silver Dawn
Powertrain
Engine	4.3 L I6; 4.6 L I6; 4.9 L I6
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3225.8 mm (127 in); 3378.2 mm (133 in);
Chronology
Predecessor	Wraith; Phantom III

The Silver Wraith was the first post-war Rolls-Royce model and was made at the Crewe factory from 1946 to 1959.

The first cars had a 127 inch (3226 mm) wheelbase chassis based on the one from the pre-war Wraith with coil sprung independent front suspension and semi-elliptic rear with a live axle. The engine was also based on the Wraith, but had a new cylinder head with overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves and initially a capacity of 4257 cc. From 1951 this was increased to 4566 cc and in 1954 to 4887 cc on the long wheelbase models. The braking system was a hybrid hydromechanical system with hydraulic front brakes and mechanical rears using the mechanical servo from the pre-war cars, patented by Hispano-Suiza and built by Rolls-Royce under licence.

The long, 133 inch (3378 mm), wheelbase chassis was announced in 1951, and 639 were made until 1959. The last short wheelbase cars were made in 1953.

Initially only a four speed manual gearbox was offered, but this was supplemented by a General Motors automatic option from 1952.

This was the last Rolls-Royce model to receive a wide variety of bespoke coachwork designed and made by a rapidly declining number of specialist coachbuilders.

Official uses

Irish Presidential State Car - 1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith.
Brazilian Presidential Ceremonial State Car - 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith.
Royal Danish Ceremonial Car "Store Krone" (Great Crown) - 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith.

Movie appearances

Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Indiscreet (1958)
Victim (1961)
The Love Bug (1968)
The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)
Arthur (1981)
Batman (1989)
James Dean (2001)
etc.^[1]

Gallery

Brazilian Presidential Ceremonial State Car at presidential inauguration.
The "Store Krone" running on the streets of Roskilde.
1948 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith convertible with body by French coachbuilder Franay.