ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH II (1980)
CHASSIS N. LRH40265
ENGINE: V8 90.
DISPLACEMENT: 6750 CM3
POWER: ADEQUATE
BODY STYLE: LONG WHEELBASE SALOON
The Silver Shadow was the first Rolls-Royce to be built around a monocoque which made it possible to limit the weight and, above all, gave it a lower and more modern line without altering the interior comfort and the legendary luxury of which vehicles bearing the RR logo had become the symbol.
Within the context of ongoing updating and improvement, in 1977 the Second Series of the Silver Shadow was launched, of which today we have a marvellous example in the long wheelbase version.
With a more modern dashboard, a completely new and sophisticated air conditioning system and the new energy-absorbing bumpers, the Silver Wraith II took the place of the previous Silver Shadow Long Wheelbase.
Almost all the models produced by Rolls-Royce in its 113 year history were also proposed in a ‘long’ version. Practically speaking this version provided more space and privacy for the rear passengers and was often fitted with a glass partition between the chauffeur’s front compartment and the rear one. “Back-Front” instead of “Upstairs- Downstairs”! They were also different from the ‘normal’ Silver Shadows by having a vynil-covered roof and a smaller rear window.
In the 1970s and 1980s the long wheelbase versions of the Silver Shadow series were numerically very rare given that the use of chauffeurs was disappearing. Even rarer were the examples like the one proposed here without a glass divider. These vehicles were, in fact, preferred by people who – according to the circumstances – drove the car themselves or had themselves driven by a chauffeur. In practice, there was little difference compared to the standard version, versus a marked difference in the purchase price!
The vehicle presented here belongs to the second series of Silver Shadows, for which the name of a model from the 1950s was brought back. Only 2144 examples of the Silver Wraith II were produced, the majority of which were used for official purposes, in black or dark blue livery and with a glass partition. Therefore this vehicle represents a very rare example of a ‘private’ Silver Wraith II: it was, in fact, purchased in 1980 by a lady who had it delivered to Hong Kong and used it until 1989.
The copious documentation that accompanies the car – which includes the “Chassis Cards” certifying all the phases of its production – in fact make it possible to reconstruct all the various passages and mileages guaranteed by the documents regarding the annual MOTs. The vehicle was not used from 1989 to 1996 and then was only driven for a few kilometres, so that today, at the age of thirty-seven, it has clocked up less than 40,000 miles, equal to around 64,000 kilometres, perfectly in line with the information provided in the documentation.
Purchased by the current owner in 2011, this Silver Wraith II has been used very little and has been entrusted to the care of the Officina Sauro in Bologna for all the necessary checks and maintenance including a complete overhaul of the hydraulic system. Today it is in an excellent condition.
This Silver Wraith II also represents an exceptional opportunity to obtain a very rare car - with low mileage and that is certainly unique with its livery and splendid green Connolly leather interior - at the price of a mass produce economy car..
The vehicle is in excellent mechanical condition but, for safety reasons, we advise the purchaser to have it checked over and to replace the fluids, filters and perishable elements.