1977 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II Saloon

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THE SILVER WRAITH II Introduced in 1965, the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (and Bentley T1) represented a complete break with tradition, being the first of the Crewe factory's models to employ unitary construction. The latter freed the body designers from the constraints of a separate chassis and permitted a reduction in overall height and weight without loss of either rigidity or capacity. All-round independent suspension was another new introduction.

This new styling appealed to the younger generation of Rolls-Royce owners more prevalent from the mid-1960s onwards and enabled the company to keep abreast of fashion. Its engine - the well-tried 90-degree V8 introduced on the Silver Cloud II - was one of the first aspects of the Silver Shadow to undergo significant alteration, being enlarged to 6,750cc in 1970. The Corniche's introduction and commencement of the Camargue project slackened the pace of Shadow development briefly, the next significant up-grade not occurring until mid-1972 when the 'compliant suspension' package of modifications was introduced, significantly improving the car's handling.

Models manufactured after the spring of 1974 (from chassis number '18269' onwards) featured subtly flared wheel arches accommodating wider, lower-profile radial tires. In 1977, the Silver Shadow was given a number of improvements, among them a modified front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering. The cars were re-designated Silver Shadow II and the long-wheelbase model was given the name Silver Wraith II.

The Silver Shadow/Silver Wraith models were spectacularly successful, with more than 31,000 built in 16 years. THE MOTORCAR OFFERED This rare example of the Silver Wraith II was ordered new through Foreign Motor Cars of Boston and delivered to Paramus, New Jersey in the fall of 1977. The original order specified Onyx paint with Double Dark Green fine lines and Everflex roof over a triple green interior.

Beautifully appointed, the listed Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price was an eye watering $55,400—an amount that would buy you a decent home or a fleet of 15 Chevy Novas with some coin left over to spend on gas and maintenance. Records on file show various warranty repairs through 1981. In 2003, the car was acquired by a family outside of Cincinnati, Ohio and was subsequently acquired by the current owner in June of 2011.

Displayed but not driven in the ensuing decade, the car currently shows 20,691 miles on the clock—although that figure cannot be verified as original. Given the lack of recent use, mechanical recommissioning is recommended prior to active enjoyment. Complete with copies of its original records from Rolls-Royce and its original jack and now trimmed in Double Dark Green with a black Everflex top, it is an opportunity to arrive in style where ever you go, be it the theater, restaurant, or disco.