1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Inskip Drophead Coupé
- Colour
- Dark sapphire blue
Chassis WZB36 is the final Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith bodied with American custom coachwork — a drophead coupé completed by former Brewster craftsmen for New York importer J.S. Inskip, featuring sweeping baroque fenders in chromed brass and a sporting beltline dip inspired by French coachbuilders. Delivered in January 1951 to a Minneapolis department-store heir, it passed to a well-known Minnesota banker and collector who kept it for nearly four decades before its sale at Sotheby's in 1996. The car has since been restored in dark sapphire blue with red leather and retains its original engine.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$561,000
- → 1951-01-29Acquisition unknownJ.S. Inskippartial documentation
New York importer who commissioned the bespoke coachwork and retailed the car as the final Rolls-Royce bodied with American custom coachwork.
- 1951-01-29 → 1957-08-01Private saleLawrence S. Donaldsonfull documentation
Minneapolis heir to a department store fortune; kept the car at the family mansion on Mount Curve Avenue.
- 1957-08-01 → 1996Private saleAndrew Darlingfull documentation
Minnesota banker and collector who maintained the car in original condition across nearly four decades as part of a large personal collection.
- 1996 →AuctionCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Acquired shortly after the Sotheby's dispersal sale; later commissioned a full restoration to dark blue with red leather interior.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationMike Fennel
Comprehensive restoration carried out by Mike Fennel of Saugus, California; the car was refinished in dark sapphire blue with a red leather interior and matching blue cloth hood, including a thoroughly detailed and restored engine compartment.
Commissioned by the current owner after a period of preservation in original condition; the original engine was retained.
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