1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Long Wheelbase James Young SW10 Sports Saloon with Division

There are few cars as majestic as a Rolls-Royce in the immediate post-war era as exemplified by this handsome and graceful example. Burgundy over black with tan interior. LELW88, as prefixed by 'L' decodes as a car that was delivered new in the rare left-hand drive form in which it remains to this day, while the additional 'L' in the middle of the VIN confirms it to have been a long wheelbase series car. This Silver Wraith is made even more special by its elegant aluminum coachwork by James Young - style reference 'SW10' described in the literature as a 'saloon with division' and of which only four were ever produced in left-drive. At some point, over a decade and a half ago, the Rolls was restored to its presentation of Brewster Claret over Masons Black with Beige whipcord fabric both front and rear. Joining the previous owner's collection in 2014, the Rolls has been minimally enjoyed since. It runs and drives but servicing is recommended prior to active road use. This example was newly delivered in March of 1956, to Mr. George Widener. According to records provided by the Rolls-Royce Foundation, Mr. Widener would keep his Silver Wraith for two years before trading it in for another car with J.S. Inskip. The next owner was Ethel Chesbrough Cates, who acquired the car on May 8, 1958. The wife of Louis Shadduck Cates, the chairman of the large mining company Phelps Dodge, Mrs. Cates would sell the car in May of 1961. By 1964 it was with George W. Huguely, Jr. of Washington, D.C. and eight years hence in the garage of Anthony L. Korteweg of River Edge, New Jersey. There is no recorded history beyond that. A unique opportunity to acquire an exceedingly rare and special machine, the perfect car for touring.