Description
With us at RFH Classics we are pleased to bring you this 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith 2 Dr Coupe finished in Gloss black with Air Force Blue Leather. The Silver Wraith is special in its own right and as a stunning Coupe comes to the market for the first time in its life. It has a very special history having not only been family owned from new but built for the grandfather of today?s owner Hugh. It was back in 1948 that Mr W H Smith, a successful woodwork engineer affectionately known as ?Willie Smith? was approached by the well renowned Yorkshire coachbuilders, Rippon Bros of Huddersfield with the proposal of them building for him a coach built 2dr Coupe R-R Silver Wraith. Subsequently a deal was struck between them that saw this beautiful Coupe, which was built in time to exhibit on the Rippon stand at the 1949 Earls Court Motor Show with the car being delivered in early 1950 to Mr W H Smith, who incidentally was not the bookstore owner as some records we have found indicated.
Mr Smith enjoyed the car for a few years before passing the car on to his daughter in the mid 1950s. Initially the car was used as an everyday car but as new custodians of such a beautiful car, Mr Smith?s daughter and her husband became members of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club (RREC) in the 1970s and 1980s and enjoyed using the coupe for many years for pleasure both in the UK and on regular trips abroad. Such was the wonderful drivability of the coupe that family trips, including their children, went as far afield as Denmark, Spain and Belgium where the car was driven around the Spa-Francochamps circuit, yet at a fairly sedate speed prior to the Spa 6 hour sports car race! You can only begin to imagine some of the admiring looks, which the car would have received.
Upon the passing of Mr Smith?s son in law in 1993, the ownership passed to the grandson of Willie Smith, Hugh, who at the time was living in London and storage of such a magnificent car was not easy. Subsequently a suitable home was found away from its original home in Yorkshire and from that base the next chapter of the car?s life began. For many years the car was based in Hertfordshire and later in Rutland with numerous pleasure trips being taken within the UK under Hugh?s ownership. Additionally, and with Hugh?s enthusiasm for the marque, it has been used to celebrate his daughter?s and other people?s happy occasions for a number of weddings. This use has resulted in the car being maintained to a high standard with well-known specialists.
Now this is not a car without the expected age related patina but in our opinion this just adds to the charm and character of this stunning car. A walk around the car highlights the stunning lines that Rippon originally designed into the car. When you open either door you are greeted by chrome plaques in either doorway that confirm who built this beautifully crafted car and it exudes the warmth of leather and varnish. The quality of the build shows through today. Here we have a seventy four year old wonderful car that is complete today with original stunning wood marquetry, Bakelite switches, deep woollen carpets, top grade leathers and hand painted coach lines. They are brought together here with this Silver Wraith and it has created what can only be described as a piece of history. You can see the standard of the car not only in our pictures but also in the extensive history available online about this stunning Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith. We are very proud to be the garage that brings this unique car to the market for the first time in its life and welcome prospective buyers to contact us for a private viewing of this unique automobile. A walk around video is available on our website.
RFH Classics are proud to be Bedfordshire's largest independent Classic Car Dealer with over 30 years experience of supplying high quality vehicles that you can buy with confidence from a dealer with excellent reviews. We love to welcome visitors to the showroom but ask you call us first on the details below as we can sometimes be off site. This car is exempt from needing an MOT test and is eligible for zero rated Historic car tax which mean it is also ULEZ Exempt. What better way is there of travelling around London in a unique piece of engineering that with the relatively low cost of classic car insurance, makes for a very cost effective and desirable car to own. Our vehicles are sold clear of finance or insurance damage with a certificate supplied. We recommend premium unleaded fuel in our classics. Unable to visit our showroom then UK delivery is available, please ask. Looking to Export? Call us for a quote. On our website - details above we offer walk around videos of all our stock. Call me today and see how we can help you turn your classic car dreams into a reality, thank you Richard #rfhclassics #classiccarshenlow
