The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith model commenced in 1946 right after the end of the war. It was intended to be their limousine body, with coachwork intended to be coachbuilt by companies who specialized in that trade. The model was continuously upgraded so that in 1956, with the introduction of the Silver Cloud model, many important upgrades had been incorporated into the Silver Wraith. The hand built coachwork became more and more expensive, and by 1956 there were only four firms left to mount bodies on these cars; Mulliner, Park Ward, James Young and Hooper.
Hooper was formerly the official coachbuilder for the Crown, and was known for its high styling features. Their base model in 1956 for the Silver Wraith was their Empress model, which had only one long sweep line from the front of the car down towards the rear. It was very popular in the UK and ordered extensively. However it was not really known in the US since Hooper did not advertise here nor take part many auto exhibitions. Consequently, only 7 LHD cars were ever made with Empress styling.
This car, chassis LELW6, was made in 1956 with most of the Silver Cloud improvements, such as a larger, more powerful engine, power steering and, in 1957, air conditioning. It was sold new to a resident of Monte Carlo, France, who was said to be a writer of erotic novels. It stayed there for many years, finally being discovered in a Paris garage in 2001, where it was rescued and put up for sale. A German buyer added it to his collection, and according to his family never used it at all. Upon his passing, it was put up for sale and was purchased by an American collector, who had it fully serviced upon arrival in the US by Douglas Siebert, America's most well known specialist of cars of that era. Most of the car, including the paint and interior are original and in fine condition. It runs, drives and stops as was intended the day it left the factory.
