1947 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER WRAITH DROPHEAD COUPE

Details

Introduced in 1946 as Rolls Royce's first postwar model Silver Wraith had many new features including an F-head engine of 125hp, revised coil spring independent front suspension and a new chassis frame. In contrast to its Silver Dawn stablemate all Silver Wraiths were bodied by independent coachbuilder, continuing Rolls Royce tradition of catering to the desires of its clientele for bespoke, individual, creations. Most were bodied by Rolls Royce's British colleagues but a few were bodied by

Continental coachbuilder who favored the chassis with some of their most imaginative creations, including this 1947 Silver Wraith with drophead coupe coachwork by Parisian carrossier Franay, the first of just six individual bodies it built on the Silver Wraith. Founded in 1903, Franay was known for the quality of its work on the finest chassis of the classic and postwar periods, quality which is apparent in this refined yet also distinctive Silver Wraith built to the order of Swiss physician Dr M Adel Latif. Its sweeping teardrop fenders and skirted rear wheels reflect modest aerodynamic influences complementing the steel wheels (a feature new to the Silver Wraith) and whitewall tires. Marius Franay would soon yield to the postwar French fascination for chrome but this example is refreshingly restrained with only a discrete and attractive thin beltline molding and chrome accents on the leading edges of the front fenders that are attractively balanced by a pair of low set fog lights, a single central driving light and headlights nestled in black and is upholstered in tobacco leather and accompanied by a black cloth convertible top. A fabulous coachbuilt Rolls-Royce.