Beschreibung:

Ex-London Motor Show, Rolls-Royce Stand exhibit 1958 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH LIMOUSINE COACHWORK BY HOOPER & CO. COACHBUILDERS, Body No. 10240 Registration No. UYY 497 Chassis No. FLW 97 Engine No. See text Black with tan leather to front, fawn Bedford cord to rear. Engine: six cylinders in line, overhead inlet, side exhaust valves, 4,887cc, dual choke Stromberg carburettor; Gearbox: manual four-speed with synchromesh; Steering; power-assisted; Suspension: independent front by wishbone and coil spring, half elliptic springs to beam rear axle, ride control; Brakes: servo-assisted hydraulic front, mechanical rear. Centralised dash-controlled chassis lubrication. Right hand drive. In the austere years after the end of the second world war, Rolls-Royce embarked on a well-judged new policy. No longer would they rely exclusively on the sometimes excruciatingly drawn-out business of supplying chassis to specialist coachbuilders, there to have costly painstakingly-constructed bespoke bodywork mounted upon them. Instead, they introduced an attractively-styled four door standard steel saloon. To test the water, perhaps to avoid sullying the hard-earned Rolls-Royce cachet by any reduction of exclusivity, the all-steel cars were at first only built as Bentleys. The policy was a considerable success, for the cars were clearly as refined and built to the same high standard of engineering as ever. Eventually the all-steel Bentleys were joined by the very similar Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn in 1949. Meanwhile, to meet the rather smaller but still worthwhile market for specialised coachwork, Rolls-Royce made the Silver Wraith available as a fully-equipped and drivable chassis, as a basis for the specialists to ply their craft. Mechanically little differed from the Silver Dawn but, in the usual Rolls-Royce manner, the long wheelbase Silver Wraith chassis that were destined for formal use were given every minor modification to suspension, transmission and other equipment deemed necessary to make them fit for the lives they were to lead. In 1958 the days of the Empire were numbered, but across the world British and Dominion Embassies and High Commissions still had need of automobiles which, combining the splendour of a past age with modern technology, enhanced the status of the dignitaries who used them to go about their official duties. Rolls-Royce responded with approved coachwork designs and specifications which were supplied to coachbuilding houses entrusted with this demanding work. Names as august as Park Ward, James Young H.J. Mulliner and Hooper turned out many such officially-ordered limousines and landaulets, always broadly similar in general outline at any given season, but varying in detail to reflect the house style of the various builders. Altogether 639 long wheelbase Silver Wraith limousines were built, and this example carries a very late FLW series chassis number. Thus this Silver Wraith limousine has Hooper's front wingline dropping gently as its sweeps across both doors, their long chromium-plated waistline spear and wonderfully executed hard-edged shapes around screen, windows and roof. There is more than a hint of Silver Dawn standard steel saloon about the rear panelling and trunk. The long side window, with only minimal glass framing, and the slender rear quarter panel are graceful touches. FLW 97 was delivered in chassis form to Hooper & Co. on 5th June 1957. Notes on the factory records only state the specific detail features of electrically operated windows and aerial and type UD 1581 Headlamps, as well as power steering. The build sheets do however confirm that it was to be bodied with an Enclosed Limousine by Hooper, which we now know to have been to their current design number 8460. Between being ordered and supplied, the car was exhibited on the Rolls-Royce stand at the 1957 London Motor Show, this is confirmed by marque reference works The Classic Elegance and The Elegance Continues . As illustrated and det