Lot 331: 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith by Park Ward

Introduced in 1936 to replace the 20/25, and at a chassis price of £1,100, offering a saving of £85 against its predecessor, the Rolls-Royce 20/35 also benefited from a 15 per cent increase in power - sufficient to allow comfortable 70mph cruising, a top speed of 80mph, 0-50mph acceleration in 15 seconds and an average of 17mpg even when driven hard. Carried forward from the 20/25 were the torque reaction shock absorbers which adjusted automatically according to the speed of the car and over which the driver had an over-riding manual control; the tried and tested, pedal operated chassis lubrication system and permanent mechanical jacks for all four wheels were also retained. The radiator, steering and cylinder head, however, were amongst items improved for 1937 year models. It was a motor car particularly suitable to the owner/driver, and many 20/35 chassis were fitted with charming sporting coachwork. Production lasted until 1938 after 1,201 chassis had been produced, and the survival rate has been good. The 20/35 was replaced by the Silver Wraith in 1938, the main difference being that the latter had independent front suspension using horizontal coil springs, as did the contemporary Phantom III, a model that was in effect a larger scale Wraith. When production ceased with the advent of World War Two, just 490 Rolls-Royce Wraiths had been produced. Originally the property of Lieutenant Colonel Vivian Bartley Green-Armytage, a leading gynaecologist and obstetrician based in London's Harley Street, this fine Rolls-Royce, carrying handsome six-light, touring limousine coachwork by Park Ward, is one of just two such bodied Wraiths produced, the other having been the property of Field Marshall Montgomery (registered FLD 99) whilst stationed at Deep Cut Army Camp. In the same ownership for the past 39 years, FGY 6 has been lovingly cared for throughout this time and is supplied with a comprehensive history file containing copies of the original Rolls-Royce build sheet and chassis records, receipts from Rolls-Royce Motors and leading Rolls-Royce specialists dating back to 1971, including those for body restoration, repainting and wood trim renovation work by Wood & Pickett in the 1970s, and a complete body restoration in 1982 by W Chrichton & Co, during which the doors were re-skinned and new sections fitted to the wood frame; more recent expenditure with Frank Dale & Stepsons covers a complete engine rebuild, including re-boring of the cylinder block, fitment of six new pistons and overhauled ancillaries, re-wiring of the electrical system, 're-Connollising' of the leather trim, cleaning and repainting of the chassis in 2006, and detail remedial attention to the body and paintwork, all at a cost of over £18,000 and, immediately prior to this auction, a full service. Strikingly finished in black over yellow, this important and exceedingly rare Wraith is offered in excellent condition and supplied with a MoT test certificate valid for 12 months. This represents a unique opportunity, and one unlikely to be repeated, to acquire a very important example of the very last of the pre-war Rolls-Royces.