Wraith

(1938-1939)



No. Made : 491

Engine : 6 cylinder in line configuration

Transmission : Single, dry plate type clutch, 4 speeds and reverse

Chassis : Pressed steel box section welded frame with closing plate and cruciform bracing

Dimensions : Wheelbase 136 inches

Performance : Max. speed : 85 mph (137 km/h)


The final development of the pre-war small-horsepower Rolls-Royce came in 1938 with the introduction of the 25/30 hp Wraith. In this model the traditional attributes of silence and smoothness were developed to a remarkable degree.

The chassis of the Wraith was entirely new, with a cruciform bracing rather like that of the its larger stablemate, the Phantom III and of largely welded construction. The most important new feature, however, was the independent front suspension which was similar to that of the Phantom III. Other than retaining the same bore and stroke (3 1/2: by 4 1/2") as the 25/30 the engine was entirley new, with a simplified timing gear train, Hall's Metal big ends and a new cross flow cylinder head design derived from the parallel Bentley development.

Less conspicuous, but worthy of note, were the little modifications. There were totally new engine mountings and the gear lever and handbrake were positioned further rearward.

Although the outbreak of World War II stopped production of this model, the liklihood is that it would only have remained for a further year or so in any case as the Company's development of the Rationalised Range was already well advanced.