- Ordered new by heir to what became Citibank, Chauncey Devereaux Stillman
- First delivered to the 1,000 acre Wethersfield Estate in New York
- Fitted from new with Air-conditioning by US Importers J.S. Inskip
- Uniquely delivered with blind rear-quarters and no division
- Desirable Mulliner design 7356 Touring coachwork
- One of 10 LHD examples built
- Highly specified with power steering, P100 Headlamps and 4-Speed Automatic
- The ultimate Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
Beyond the unobtainable Rolls-Royce Phantom IV, the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith was the ultimate Rolls-Royce of the immediate post-war period. As had always been the case with pre-war Rolls-Royce models, the Silver Wraith was available with a vast array of coachwork options and each car was truly made to order. It was no wonder that the Wraith was favoured by heads of state and the super-wealthy alike, whether it be countless Royal families around the globe, Nubar Gulbenkian, Aristotle Onassis and countless others. They are also equally at home on the silver screen, perhaps most notably in the 1981 comedy Arthur which features a Silver Wraith Touring, design 7356 by H.J.Mulliner.
Our Silver Wraith is no exception to the general customer parameters outlined above. It was ordered new by an heir to what became Citibank, Chauncey Devereaux Stillman. Stillman was “one of the richest men of his generation, but he was never idle of indolent,” and he served as an intelligence officer aboard the USS Enterprise during WWII, pursued a number charitable causes during the war and later served as a staff officer with United States National Security Council. He was widely well-regarded for his lifetime dedication to philanthropy.
Mr Stillman ordered the Silver Wraith in the winter of 1955 from official Rolls-Royce importers J.S. Inskip in New York. He chose Mulliner style 7356 Touring coachwork (one of just 10 built in LHD) in Masons Black with a tan Connolly hide interior. Stillman clearly had a fine taste in automobiles as he ordered many special and unique features that make this arguably the ultimate specification Silver Wraith. The most notable options are blind rear quarters which are unique to this car, the lack of division which is also unique for a 7356 coachwork car, power steering, 4-speed automatic gearbox and P100 Headlamps. Being such a late example, the car also benefits from featuring the more powerful 4.9 litre Straight Six engine as featured in the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I. This makes for a car that is far more elegant and striking than a standard 7356 and also, far more useable as a family car and much more driver friendly. Prior to the delivery of the car in the spring of 1956, J.S. Inskip fitted a roof ducted air conditioning system at presumably astonishing expense, visible externally from the Art Deco chrome vents on the rear wings. Once the air-conditioning had been fitted, the car was finally delivered to Mr Stillman’s truly spectacular 1,000+ acre Wethersfield Estate and Gardens in Amenia, New York, certainly one of the finest delivery addresses you could wish to see.
This Rolls-Royce enjoyed a sheltered life, forming part of several large private collections over the years and presents beautifully today in Masons Black over Ivory, with beautiful Tan Connolly hide interior, the car is a gleaming example of one of not only H.J.Mulliner’s but Rolls-Royce’s finest hours. The car is in truly excellent condition and presents a unique opportunity to buy a one-off Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith in the most desirable configuration of LHD, non-division, automatic, power steering and 4.9 litre engine.
Now available for viewing at the DD Classics Dealership in London, please call 0208 878 3355 for more information.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information but errors may occur. Please check with a salesperson.
