The Silver Wraith was the first post-war Rolls-Royce. It was made from 1946 to 1958 as only a chassis at Rolls-Royce's former Merlin engine plant, their Crewe factory, alongside the shorter Bentley Mark VI. The Bentley too was available as a chassis for coachbuilders but also for the first time could be bought with a Rolls-Royce built standard steel body.

It was announced by Rolls-Royce in April 1946 as the 25/30 hp replacement for the 1939 Wraith in what had been their 20 hp and 20/25 hp market sector, that is to say Rolls-Royce's smaller car. The size was chosen to be in keeping with the mood of post-war austerity. Even very limited production of the chassis of the larger car, the Phantom IV, was not resumed until 1950 and then, officially, only for Heads of State.

Improvements announced were: chromium-plated cylinder bores for the engine; a new more rigid chassis frame to go with new independent front suspension; and a new synchromesh gearbox. Chassis lubrication was now centralised. The straight six-cylinder postwar engine, which had been briefly made for the aborted by war Bentley Mark V, replaced conventional overhead valve gear with an F-head configuration of overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves and reshaped combustion chambers. There were new main and big-end bearings and a more efficient drive to the timing gear. To this prewar mix Rolls-Royce added chromed bores. Initially, this engine retained the Mark V's capacity of 4,257 cc increased from 1951 to 4,566 cc and in 1955, after the introduction of the (standard wheelbase) Silver Cloud, to 4,887 cc for the remaining Silver Wraiths.

The first cars had an entirely new 127 inch wheelbase chassis which differed considerably from that of the pre-war Wraith and was much nearer rigid. It matched the new Bentley chassis but with an extra 7 inch section added to the centre. The new chassis had coil sprung independent front suspension, which required a very rigid chassis to function properly, and at the rear conventional semi-elliptic springs and live axle. The braking system was a hybrid hydro-mechanical system with hydraulic front brakes and mechanical rears using the mechanical servo similar to that of the pre-war cars.

The last short-wheelbase cars were delivered in November 1953. The long, 133 inch, wheelbase chassis was announced in 1951, and the first delivered in January 1952. 639 were made by the time of the last deliveries in October 1958. This was not quite the last Rolls-Royce model to be supplied as a "chassis only" ready for a wide variety of bespoke coachwork designed and made by a rapidly declining number of specialist coachbuilders.Most of the bodies selected used "formal" limousine designs.

From 1949 until 1955 customers wishing to buy a Rolls-Royce fitted with a much smaller standard steel body could purchase the Silver Dawn. It rode on a chassis seven inches shorter than the Silver Wraith, and was almost identical to Rolls-Royce's Bentley Standard Steel saloon available alongside the Silver Wraith since July 1946.

In total, 1883 Silver Wraiths were produced over the 12 year model run.

This exceptional example is fitted with a fixed passenger/driver divider with electric window. The car has its original interior in overall very good condition. The front seats (leather) are very nice; no excuses. Extra Connolly leather hide included. The rear seats (West of England wool broadcloth) show slight wear but no holes, rips or significant marks, which is unusual for original wool upholstery. Interior woodwork finish is quite nice. The headliner is without fault except for a small rip above the driver's seat where the rear curtain control mounts. The brightwork has been re-plated in 2000 and it is very nice, not scratched, rusted or rubbed excessively with no dents. The black paint is relatively new, having been done from bare metal in 2000. Insulation has been installed under the carpet in the front and partially up the firewall. The car is driven regularly, both locally and on highway trips. All the mechanical systems are in very good condition. The bijur lubrication system works normally and the car has a spin on oil filter adapter, but the original comes with the car. The car has all nearly new tires (2012) and all large and small tools correct for the car and an original owner's manual (not original to the car). The car also comes with 1 set of new Whitworth spanners and sockets and 1 set of new BSW spanners and sockets, a Chauffer's cap, some odd spares including gaiters and light filaments and a hand pump for the tires.

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a stately and well cared for example that needs nothing to be driven cross country.

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