Rolls-Royce has long been synonymous with understated luxury and bespoke craftsmanship. However, occasionally, a patron emerges who desires something beyond the ordinary, a statement piece that commands attention and embodies unparalleled extravagance. This is precisely the story of the Wraith Rolls, a unique Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith bodied by the renowned Italian coachbuilder Vignale – a vehicle designed not just for transportation, but for making an unforgettable arrival.
The Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith Legacy
Introduced in the aftermath of World War II, the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith marked a new era for the prestigious marque. Sharing a similar chassis to the Silver Dawn and Bentley MkVI, but with an extended 10′ 7″ wheelbase, the Wraith was specifically conceived for bespoke, coachbuilt bodies, moving away from the standardized bodywork of its contemporaries. The engine, while sharing bore and stroke dimensions with its pre-war predecessor, featured a modern ‘F-head’ inline-six configuration, known for its superior valve design and efficient cooling. Production of the short-wheelbase Wraith concluded in 1952, with the long-wheelbase variant continuing until 1959, culminating in 1,783 chassis produced in total, making any Silver Wraith a sought-after classic.
A Wraith Rolls Unlike Any Other
Joseph J. Maschuch, a resident of Maplewood, New Jersey, was undoubtedly such a patron. When he commissioned his Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith, subtlety was not on his agenda. He sought a vehicle that was as individual as he was, a true expression of personal style and opulent taste. To realize this vision, Maschuch turned to Vignale, the celebrated Italian design house renowned for its futuristic and striking automotive creations. The result was a one-off masterpiece, a Wraith Rolls that stands alone in Rolls-Royce history as the only example bodied by Vignale.
Italian Flair Meets British Luxury
Vignale’s design for this Wraith Rolls is a captivating blend of classic Rolls-Royce grandeur and Italian stylistic innovation. The iconic Rolls-Royce grille is flanked by imposing sealed-beam P100 headlights, while a smaller set of hooded fog lights accentuates the front fenders, creating a distinctive and powerful front fascia. The rear of the car is equally dramatic, featuring a sweeping rear window and C-pillar, a design element that strikingly foreshadows the later Lincoln Continental Sedan. Remarkably, the rear window is retractable, a feature rarely seen even on the most luxurious vehicles of the era. Despite the long wheelbase, the desire for a spacious and lavishly appointed cabin necessitated a substantial rear overhang to accommodate a full-sized trunk, further emphasizing the car’s grand proportions. Upon its delivery in mid-1955, this Wraith Rolls was undeniably unique, and it remains just as captivating and extraordinary today.
Bespoke Features of this Wraith Rolls
Beyond its striking exterior, the special features of this Wraith Rolls continue to astound. The engine bay itself becomes a display of personalized artistry, with the engine block, head, dynamo, starter, air cleaner, carburetor, and inlet manifold all finished in a vibrant green paint. Adding to the visual spectacle, factory build sheets explicitly state the “customer requires all visible pipes under the bonnet [to be] chrome plated,” showcasing an extraordinary level of detail and customization.
Inside the cabin, comfort and entertainment were paramount. Air conditioning ensures a cool and refined atmosphere, while exquisite cabinetry in the rear compartment conceals a fully equipped bar and a centrally mounted television – rarities for the time. A Becker Mexico radio integrated into the dashboard provides period-correct audio entertainment. All windows are power-operated, as is the front seat, reflecting the pinnacle of automotive technology in the 1950s. The chauffeur’s compartment is trimmed in practical black leather, while the passenger compartment, designed for Mr. Maschuch’s comfort, is upholstered in elegant grey broadcloth. Perhaps the most talked-about feature, and certainly the most whimsical, is the toilet discreetly located under the right rear passenger seat. While intended, or at least rumored, to serve primarily as a champagne cooler, its presence underscores the no-expense-spared approach to this truly unique Wraith Rolls.
The Uniqueness of a Vignale Wraith Rolls
This exceptional Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith has been cherished by its current owner for over a decade, maintaining its original interior while undergoing cosmeticRefreshments to preserve its timeless elegance. Accompanied by extensive factory build sheets, providing a detailed record of its bespoke features, and its original Silver Wraith handbook, jack, and tools, its provenance is impeccably documented. Further solidifying its significance, this Wraith Rolls is featured in Lawrence Dalton’s authoritative book, Rolls-Royce: The Elegance Continues, and has even been immortalized as a 1/43 scale model by ABC-Brianza, cementing its place in automotive history.
The collaboration between Vignale and Rolls-Royce is an anomaly, making this particular Wraith Rolls an unparalleled collector’s item. While Vignale is celebrated for its stunning designs for Ferrari and other Italian sports cars, this Rolls-Royce remains the sole instance where the famed carrozzeria lent its artistry to the British marque. This one-off, coachbuilt Rolls-Royce is more than just a car; it is a rolling testament to the adage “nothing succeeds like excess.” To arrive in this Vignale-bodied Wraith Rolls is to make a statement of ultimate style and distinction. This is not a vehicle to be driven, but to be driven in, preferably with a designated driver and a chilled bottle of fine French champagne – perhaps even from the car’s legendary “toilet cooler.” After all, life is indeed too short for anything less than extraordinary.
Without reserve.
