1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
Coachwork by Park Ward Ltd
Registration No. OWA 317 | Chassis No. WOF36
The Ultimate in Post-War Motoring Luxury
The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith was introduced in 1946 as the company’s first post-war model, offering exceptional refinement, elegance, and exclusivity. Unlike its Bentley MkVI sibling, the Silver Wraith was exclusively designed for bespoke coachbuilt bodies, maintaining the tradition of handcrafted luxury.
This 1951 Silver Wraith, fitted with sleek and distinguished saloon coachwork by Park Ward Ltd, exemplifies Rolls-Royce’s commitment to elegance and craftsmanship.
Engineering & Performance
The Silver Wraith shared its chassis with the Silver Dawn and Bentley MkVI, but with a 7-inch longer wheelbase (10’7”), ensuring a spacious and luxurious ride.
- Engine: 4,566cc inline-six
- Overhead inlet, side exhaust valve configuration (‘F-head’ design)
- Four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh (automatic available from 1951 onward)
- Large valves and improved cooling for enhanced performance and reliability
The Silver Wraith’s production numbers were highly exclusive, with only 1,244 short-wheelbase versions builtbefore the model was discontinued in 1952.
Coachwork by Park Ward Ltd
This Silver Wraith features an elegant four-door saloon body by Park Ward Ltd, a highly respected coachbuilder wholly owned by Rolls-Royce since 1939.
- Built to Design No. 144
- Long, sweeping front wings and stylish rear wheel spats
- Period-correct centre-mounted spotlight
- Luxury interior features including:
- Rear-seat picnic tables
- Rear smoker’s companion with cigar lighter
- Period radio
- Finished in an elegant two-tone combination of black over beige
- Beige leather upholstery complemented by black carpets
This Silver Wraith remains one of the finest examples of post-war coachbuilt luxury, combining classic Rolls-Royce styling with superior craftsmanship.
Distinguished Provenance & Ownership
This Silver Wraith was originally ordered by Arnold Laver Ltd of Sheffield, where it was delivered in December 1951.
- Chauffeur-driven for over 50 years, remaining in single ownership from 1951 until 2003
- In June 2003, it was offered for sale at Bonhams' auction at Rockingham Castle (Lot 323)
- Acquired by Mr. David Morgan, who bequeathed it to the current owner, his driver/mechanic
Restoration & Maintenance
Since 2003, the Silver Wraith has undergone careful restoration and maintenance, including:
- Complete interior re-trim (circa three years ago)
- Repairs to the front wings
- Newly manufactured wheel spats
- Documented history with accompanying invoices and records
The car remains in good running order, and is offered with:
- Sundry bills and service records
- Old-style logbook
- V5C registration document
- A collection of expired MoTs, documenting mileage history
- Odometer readings increased from 23,262 miles in 1998 to 39,869 miles in 2012, covering 16,607 miles over 14 years