1948 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drophead Coupé by J. Gurney Nutting
- Engine
- 4.3L inline-six F-head, single dual-choke carburetor, 135 bhp
- Colour
- Brown over tan
Chassis WFC4 is a 1948 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Drophead Coupé on the short-wheelbase 'C' Series chassis, clothed in Gurney Nutting coachwork (body no. 2008, design WR20M) as part of a batch of ten ordered by London dealer John Barclay. Delivered in January 1949, the car is documented by the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club Foundation and has crossed the Atlantic multiple times during its ownership history. A comprehensive restoration completed in 2017 at an estimated cost exceeding $250,000 preceded a class award at the 2018 Greenwich Concours d'Elegance. The car is also featured on the cover of Lawrence Dalton's marque study.
Ownership
- 2020-08-14Auction saleEstimate US$280,000 – US$340,000
- → 1949Factory deliveryJohn Barclay Rolls-Royce-Bentleyfull documentation
London dealer who ordered the chassis from the factory; coachwork was completed by Gurney Nutting before delivery to the end buyer.
- 1949-10-26 →Private saleG. Hall of The Woodlands, Wolverhamptonfull documentation
Original retail purchaser, took delivery via Charles Attwood and Sons in Wolverhampton; car was registered HHM296N.
- 1974 → 1974Acquisition unknownCharles Howardnone documentation
The car was offered through this party in 1974, though the precise relationship to Mitchell's ownership in the same year is ambiguous.
- 1974-12-01 →Acquisition unknownRodney D.P. Mitchellpartial documentation
Based in Clipston, Market Harborough; by this point the exterior finish had been changed to Brown over Cream. Also offered through Charles Howard the same year, though the sequence relative to this acquisition is unclear.
- → 1981Acquisition unknownPaul W. Morganpartial documentation
Resident of West Chester, Pennsylvania; owned the car until 1981.
- 1982-03-24 →Acquisition unknownFrank Dale and Stepsonspartial documentation
London-based dealer who took possession of the car around late March 1982.
- → 1994Acquisition unknownRodney D.P. Mitchellpartial documentation
Mitchell reacquired the car and registered it in Hong Kong on 2 February 1989 as EC580, reflecting the considerable time he spent there.
- → 1994Acquisition unknownGerry Porterpartial documentation
Based in Kensington; sold the car to the Texas buyer, though how Porter came to hold it is not explained.
- 1994-10-07 → 2008Private saleM. Johnsonpartial documentation
Dallas, Texas resident who purchased the car from Gerry Porter and registered it in Texas on 7 October 1994.
- 2008 →Acquisition unknownNew Hampshire collectorpartial documentation
Described as a noted collector; commissioned a comprehensive restoration costing upwards of $250,000, with bodywork handled in Portsmouth, NH and mechanical work in Stowe, VT.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownWalter Wolfsonpartial documentation
Noted collector based in New Brunswick, New Jersey; the car had crossed to the United States by the early-to-mid 1960s and was recorded in his custody in the 1966–67 RROC Membership Directory.
Competition
- 20182018 Greenwich Concours d'EleganceClass award winner
Entered by the current owner shortly after the restoration was completed; drew considerable attention from attendees.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2017RestorationCompetition Motors (bodywork/paint); Vintage Garage (mechanical)
Full restoration of both coachwork and mechanical systems, with fresh Brown over Tan paintwork applied over the body.
Owner estimates total expenditure exceeded $250,000. Competition Motors is located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Vintage Garage is in Stowe, Vermont.
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