1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith LWB Touring Limousine by H.J. Mulliner
- Engine
- 4.9L F-head inline-six, single downdraft carburetor, ~125 bhp
A rare left-hand drive 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith long-wheelbase touring limousine bodied by H.J. Mulliner, chassis LALW22, delivered new to American socialite and government official Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney. After passing through several distinctive owners, including a travelling gospel minister and Beverly Hills music producers, the car achieved concours recognition at Pebble Beach, Amelia Island, and the Lake Mirror Classic. It also gained screen fame appearing in Batman Returns and Bean: The Movie.
Ownership
- 2021-10-01Auction saleSold US$145,000
- 1952 →Factory deliveryCornelius Vanderbilt Whitneypartial documentation
Took delivery via Hambro Trading Co. for the US market; reportedly used the car for roughly eight years before parting with it.
- → 1978-10-01Acquisition unknownFlorida prosperity ministerpartial documentation
Operated a travelling gospel tent ministry and reportedly used the vehicle as a platform for sermons and blessings; the car deteriorated during this tenure.
- 1978-10-01 → 1997Acquisition unknownJim Toolepartial documentation
English-born California resident and self-taught Rolls-Royce restorer who brought the car back to concours condition; also arranged its appearances in two feature films.
- 1997 → 2008Private saleThird Story Musicpartial documentation
Music production company operated by brothers Herb and Martin Cohen; a premium audio system was installed in the rear cabin during their decade-plus ownership.
- 2008 → 2018-03-01Private saleGuy Lewispartial documentation
Florida-based collector who found the prior restoration dated and commissioned a full concours-level redo, debuting the refreshed car at Amelia Island in 2014.
- 2018-03-01 →Private salePresent ownerpartial documentation
Continued showing the car at concours events; sent it to Automotive International in Charlotte for mechanical and chrome work from late 2018 into early 2019, with documented expenditure exceeding $16,000.
Competition
- 19791979 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceFirst in Class
First concours outing after Jim Toole completed his restoration of the car.
- 20142014 Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
Debut showing following Guy Lewis's concours-level restoration.
- 20152015 Lake Mirror Classic ConcoursBest in Show
Won top honour at this Florida event shortly after the Amelia Island class victory.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1978Restoration
Full restoration carried out by owner Jim Toole to a high concours standard, bringing the car back from a state of disrepair.
Toole was a self-taught restorer who worked on his own Rolls-Royce collection; the quality was sufficient to win class honours at Pebble Beach in 1979.
- —Modification
A high-quality audio system was installed in the rear passenger compartment.
Carried out during the ownership of Third Story Music, circa 1997–2008.
- —Restoration
Comprehensive concours-level restoration commissioned to update and improve upon the ageing prior restoration work.
Undertaken by Guy Lewis after acquiring the car in 2008; completed in time for the 2014 Amelia Island debut.
- —MechanicalAutomotive International
Mechanical refurbishment and chrome restoration work carried out, with documented costs exceeding $16,000.
Work took place between November 2018 and February 2019 at the Charlotte, North Carolina facility; receipts retained on file.
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