Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II 1979

History and background

The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II was introduced in 1977 as the longest and most formal version within the second generation of the Silver Shadow family. The model remained in production until 1980 and was intended as a chauffeur-driven car with extra legroom for the rear passengers. In technical terms, the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II shared its basic construction, suspension and powertrain with the other models in this series, but the longer wheelbase gave the model a distinctive character.

The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II was built at a time when Rolls-Royce continued to focus on traditional luxury and comfort, while the body construction and technology had now become more modern than in the prewar and immediately postwar models. The Silver Wraith name had previously been used for the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith from 1946 to 1959, making its reintroduction in 1977 a historical reference. Production of the Silver Wraith II remained limited compared to the more common Silver Shadow variants, making the model a less common sight.

In the 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II, that positioning clearly comes together in a car with formal proportions and an emphasis on rear-passenger comfort. The long-wheelbase version was intended in those years to be the most representative alternative within Rolls-Royce's lineup, with a look that matched the traditional market for luxury limousines.

Characteristics and special features

The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II is distinguished by its extended wheelbase, which makes its proportions distinctly different from the standard Silver Shadow. The model received specific trim elements that emphasized the character of a chauffeur's car, including a formal presentation and a rear-seat-oriented layout. Within the series, this was the version that most closely matched the classic image of a Rolls-Royce with emphasis on rear passengers.

This 1979 example is in driveable condition. In addition, the original Rolls-Royce buildsheet of this car is present. The car is registered in the Netherlands. These details make the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II recognizable as an individual lot within the already limited production of the model.

Technically, the Silver Wraith II stands in the tradition of the later Rolls-Royce models with self-supporting bodywork and conventional luxury superstructure, as was common with the Silver Shadow generation. The combination of long wheelbase and distinctive design ensures that the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II occupies a distinct place within Rolls-Royce's history as a manufacturer of representative luxury vehicles.

Summary

The 1979-built Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II is a long-bodied and relatively rare variant within the second generation of the Silver Shadow series. The car is in running condition, is registered in the Netherlands and comes with the original Rolls-Royce buildsheet. To get a good impression of the lot we advise you to come to the viewing day.