Rolls Royce Limousine Silver-wraith 4257cc 1949

Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

The Silver Wraith was the first model of post-war Rolls-Royce and was built in the factory in Crewe between 1946 and 1959.

The first car had a chassis of 127-inch (3226 mm) wheelbase based on the Wraith before the war with independent front suspension, helical-type suspension and rear rigid axle by means of leaf springs semi-elliptical. The engine was also based on the Wraith but had a new cylinder head with valves intake upper and exhaust-valve side and an initial capacity of 4257 cc. From 1951 this was increased to 4566 cc and in 1954 to 4887 cc on the models with a long wheelbase. The brake system was a hydro-mechanical system with hybrid brakes hydraulic front and mechanical rear using a servo-mechanical of the cars prior to the war, patented by Hispano-Suiza and built by Rolls-Royce under license.¹

The chassis is long, 133 inch (3378 mm) wheelbase, was announced in 1951, and built 639 units until 1959. The last car of the short chassis was built in 1953.

Initially only offered a change four-speed manual, but this was supplemented by an automatic change optional of General Motors in 1952.

This was the latest model of Rolls-Royce to be delivered in the form of "single-chassis", with the purpose of receiving a wide range of bodywork as designed and manufactured by several specialist body builders in rapid decline. The majority of bodies chosen were designs "formal" limousine. For customers who want to buy a vehicle with a body standard, the manufacturer already offered the Bentley Mark VI.