Beschreibung:

Photo Credit: James Mann PROPERTY FROM THE LATE BOB BARRYMORE COLLECTION Formerly the Property of Henry E.I. du Pont 1949 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH DROPHEAD COUPE COACHWORK BY GURNEY NUTTING Chassis No. WGC 41 Engine No. M 240C Dark blue with beige leather interior and beige soft top Engine: six cylinders, in-line, overhead inlet valves, 4,257cc, 126bhp; Gearbox: manual four speed with synchromesh to top three ratios; Suspension: front independent by wishbone and coil spring, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel hydromechanical drum with mechanical servo. Right hand drive. The mid to late 1940s was a period of austerity and reconstruction in Europe and Rolls-Royce's response to the problems facing luxury car manufacturers was well judged. For the first time, with the introduction of the Silver Dawn, complete cars were offered using a standardized pressed steel body on a massive, superbly engineered chassis offering independent front suspension and a powerful, refined straight six engine. The Silver Dawn was well received, but the company did not want to lose contact with those customers who sought the exclusivity of bespoke coachwork in the traditional manner, and in response to this demand they introduced the Silver Wraith, close in specification to its sister, but offered only in chassis form, intended to be equipped with bespoke coachwork in response to the customer's individual preferences and specification. Respected names, H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward, Hooper, Freestone and Webb once more appeared at the London Motor Shows. One of the greatest of these names was Gurney Nutting, with whom the great engineer-designer A.F. McNeil was long associated, and they produced outstanding graceful owner-driver dropheads and saloons as well as meticulously crafted formal models. From the first sedanca they built for Rolls-Royce in 1925 their designs were of surpassing elegance and in 1931 they were rewarded by the Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales. Altogether some 1700 Silver Wraiths were created before production ended in 1959 after twelve years and it is safe to say that no two cars were identical. Among the most rare were Gurney Nutting's, for by the mid-1950s the company, now part of the Jack Barclay retailing operation, had run down its coachbuilding operations. The conservative design of the car offered here, restrained in its styling, but superbly executed with the slenderest of screen pillars and an elaborate top that folds unobtrusively into a recess behind the rear seats, represents English craftsmanship of a very high order. Unusually for such an early car, both the top and the windows are hydraulically operated. The interior is finished off with picnic tables in the front seat backs and a Becker period radio. The cutaway spats over the rear wheels are a well judged and executed detail. Factory records show that the car's early life was spent in Great Britain and the first two owners to 1962 are shown as W.R.J. Howard of Kent and A. Bright of Middlesex. At some time it came to the East Coast into the possession of Mr. Henry E.I. du Pont for use on his home estate in Delaware and, as referred to in the introduction to the Collection by John de Campi, Bob Barrymore purchased it from here. The car was driven coast to coast and has subsequently lived in the motor house alongside the other fabulous Rolls-Royces. The Wraith has been repainted and the quality interior features front and rear hydraulic power windows, a modern Becker radio, picnic tables and a hydraulically powered roof. This is a fine example of a post-war drophead Rolls-Royce with the Gurney Nutting association.