1978 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II Long Wheelbase Limousine

Registration no. LGH 771T Chassis no. LRX 33103 Engine no. 33103

Footnotes

When the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was announced in 1965 it broke new ground for the company, being the first Rolls-Royce of monocoque construction. The elegant up to the minute styling caused a little consternation among long standing clientele. Initially powered by a 6.2 litre V8 engine, it was uprated to a 6.75 litre unit by the arrival of the Shadow II in 1977. A long wheelbase model was available from 1967 - HRH Princess Margaret was one of the first customers – and when the Shadow II was announced the long wheelbase cars were dubbed the Silver Wraith. The Silver Wraith had a four inch longer wheelbase than the Shadow and an Everflex covered roof. A glass division and a smaller rear window were options. The Shadow and Wraith range were built in greater numbers than any other Rolls-Royce model.

This car was the property of of The Emir of Qatar from 1978 to 2008 and was in regular use until 1990 when it was laid up. Repatriated to the UK in 2008, it was bought in 2009 by the present owner who embarked upon a substantial restoration and recommissioning programme, including converting the car to UK right hand drive specification. The work was carried out by Rolls-Royce specialists, Gallimore's of Manchester, and included a 24,000 miles service per Rolls-Royce schedule. (A complete schedule of works carried out is on file for inspection). At that stage the odometer was converted from kilometres to miles, the reading at the time being recalibrated to just 11,804 miles. In 2012, still in the present ownership, the car was referred to esteemed Rolls-Royce specialists, Messrs. P & A Wood, with instructions "for the car to be thoroughly surveyed and works to bring the motor car to a high standard of finish and running to be allowed for." A detailed schedule of work carried out (invoice for £8,718.05) is on file for inspection and includes a 6,000 mile service to P & A Wood schedule. More recent work has included the fitting of a new exhaust manifold and a viscous fan drive. The owner reports that the car is now a delight to drive. When MOT tested in February this year the recorded mileage was just 13,810 miles.

This quite exceptional and rare Silver Wraith, complete with glass division, cocktail cabinets and originally specified gold detailing to the mascot and door handles, is offered with the original owner's handbook and service schedules and record book, together with a file detailing works undertaken since return to the UK. It is MoT tested until February 2016. It comes ready to take its place on the most prestigious concours d'elegance lawns or indeed to enter service as a very special executive courtesy car.