1947 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Cabriolet by Franay

1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Cabriolet by Franay
High Bid of $210,000
RM Auction, Amelia Island, Florida 2014
Chassis no. WVA63
Engine no. W 148 A
Est. 125 bhp, 4,257 cc F-head inline six-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, independent front suspension with coil springs and wishbones, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and adjustable shocks, and hydraulic front and mechanical rear drum brakes with power assist. Wheelbase: 127 in.

•Unique coachwork by Franay, of Paris
•Shown at the 1947 Paris Salon and the 1948 Deauville Concours
•Fascinating known Egyptian and Saudi Arabian history
•One of the most beautiful Silver Wraiths ever built


The Silver Wraith was intended to be Rolls-Royce's ultimate model during the late 1940s and 1950s. As such, the vast majority of the 1,883 chassis delivered in 13 years were fitted with large saloon and limousine bodies. Exceptionally rare were the Silver Wraiths delivered with two-door bodywork, and rarer still were convertible styles, which could be considered the ultimate Silver Wraiths. Perhaps the most desirable of all would be a French-bodied Silver Wraith Convertible that was built to a unique design and had period concours history, such as the example offered here.

Chassis number WVA63 was delivered as bare coachwork to Carrossserie Franay, of Paris. It is one of only eleven Franay-bodied Silver Wraiths, and of those, only two were cabriolets. Its unique design features rounded, crowned front fenders and sweeping rear fenders, and both are subtly outlined with chromed brass in a style reminiscent of Figoni et Falaschi. A low windshield and top, which lies nearly flush with the bodywork when folded, serve to further smooth the car's appearance and accentuate its curves. The molding down the rear deck suggests a dorsal fin, as on many great French bodies of the 1930s. With this design, Franay succeeded in building a British car that looks very French, with just enough Gallic flair to set it apart from the crowd.

Following its completion, the Cabriolet was displayed at the 1947 Paris Salon and then at the 1948 Concours d'Elegance in Deauville. It was then delivered to its original owner, Dr. Mounir Abdel-Latif, who had homes in Switzerland and Egypt, but, per the factory build information for this car, he intended to use it in France.

It is believed that the Rolls eventually journeyed with Dr. Abdel-Latif to Egypt, where it was found three decades later. As an article on the car in the May/June 1982 Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club Bulletin states, "After many adventures and much effort," it was acquired by James Rhea and removed to Saudi Arabia. Mr. Rhea's untimely death intervened, and it was left to his widow, Ann, to bring the car back to their home state of Georgia—a process that took three years!

The Rolls went on to pass through the hands of well-known enthusiasts Thomas Phillips and Sam Ornstein in the U.S., before traveling to Denmark in the hands of Jørgen Strøyer Hansen, who would own it for 13 years. It was then the property of the late, well-known American enthusiast Bill Jacobs, before joining the collection of its present owner, a longtime enthusiast in the Eastern United States.

The Silver Wraith has been recently restored, and it presents in stunning black with burnt orange "flares" along the fenders, setting off their curves. A matching, beautifully tailored leather interior offers the opulence for which Franay was known for, with its richly upholstered seats and "sunburst" door panels. Combined with the spectacular burled walnut dashboard and door cappings, the result is warm and comfortable yet still elegant. The car wears British registration FJH 679, the number under which it was registered during its time in England in the early 1950s, probably during Dr. Abdel-Latif's well-traveled ownership. It is accompanied by Rolls-Royce Foundation documentation and copies of articles in which it has been featured over the years.

This Silver Wraith is a beautiful example of French custom coachwork on the finest British chassis of its era, and it has everything the Rolls-Royce enthusiast looks for: unique design, period show appearances, and a fascinating history. It stands ready to begin the next chapter in its exciting, adventurous life.

Robert Myrick Photography