1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II

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$18,700 USD | Sold

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The Rolls-Royce marque has long been the benchmark of automobile for which many aspired to. The Silver Wraith II is an extended wheelbase version of the popular Silver Shadow II, and it was named in honor of the first postwar Rolls-Royce. Along with the cars length, other telltale signs of the Silver Wraith were black polyurethane-faced bumpers and the radiator shell was increased in front-to-back measurement by 15-percent to present a bolder, more massive appearance like that of the Corniche. The Silver Wraith was further distinguished from its shorter wheelbase stablemate by the fitting of the Cornich/Camargue-pattern wheel trims.

The Shadow and its derivatives were the first to utilize a monocoque body and the car ran with a massive 6.75-liter V-8 engine that is both powerful and silky smooth. This is mated to the always reliable GM-supplied automatic transmission. Changes to the Silver Shadow that carried over to this more-upscale model included the addition of rack-and-pinion steering, plus significant improvements to the front suspension that also helped improve the handling and overall performance. These changes ushered in more modern standards that were already available on selected competitors in this fashionable field of vehicles.

The larger Silver Wraith was considered the top-of-the-line for Rolls-Royce in this period and also stands apart due to its Everflex covered roof, small rear opera window and the previously mentioned wheel covers. Increasingly prized by interested collectors, only 2,125 Silver Wraiths were produced by the time production ended in October of 1980. This vehicle was purchased new in October 1980 at a price of $101,971 and has only been driven approximately 47,000 actual miles. It is a completely unrestored original car that has always been stored in a climate controlled setting, when not in use. Along with a beautiful two-tone finish in silver over blue, the Wraith has a rich and complementary blue Connolly hide leather interior. The leather burled wood trim elements, carpets and lambskin rugs are as beautiful now as they were when first presented in 1980. All of the books are included, along with a large number of repair receipts, the original window sticker, bill of sale and old registration renewels since the car was new.

This particular car is stated to be from late in the production run and is arguably one of the finest of its genre.