1948 | Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith

Sold After Auction

• Delivered new to the Belgian Royal Family—used by HRH Prince Regent Charles
• One of the last cars bodied by Belgian coachbuilder Van den Plas
• Offered from a significant private collection after nearly 53 years of ownership
• Newly recommissioned by Ristes Motor Company
• Displaying just 11,106 kilometres on the odometer—a candidate for entry into Preservation Class at many concours events

Please note this car is titled as 1947.

This unique Silver Wraith, chassis number WYA5, was destined for an extraordinary existence from conception. Listed on factory build records as being invoiced to the Palais de Bruxelles on 11 August 1947, it was then shipped as a rolling chassis to Van den Plas. A stunning four-door Cabriolet body was then crafted out of steel and aluminium to HRH Prince Regent Charles’ specifications, before being finished in Royal Brown. Designed for use as a parade car, it featured a steadying cord behind the division, while shatterproof safety glass was used for the side-windows. The guarantee was issued on 4 August 1948, indicating a year-long build and test programme for what would be one of Van den Plas’s final creations.

Registered “4” on royal number plates, this Silver Wraith was used throughout HRH Prince Regent Charles’s reign until 1950. This was an extraordinary period in Belgian history with the Prince Regent overseeing the rebuilding of Belgium, including laying the foundations for its successful economy and society.

Following the end of Charles’s reign, the car passed to courtier Alfred Cousin on 21 July 1950. According to period letters from his niece, Cousin did not drive the Rolls-Royce and it remained in his care until his death. It then passed to his niece, Suzanne Henricot, the widow of Baron Pierre Warnant, in December 1967.

By 1972, it had two further owners before joining the collection of the consigning owner. Extraordinarily, when the car was inspected prior to purchase it still remained in the Belgian “Royal Mews”, further supporting its lack of use during the previous 22 years. Between 1973 and 2024, it was dry stored and remained in extraordinary “time capsule” condition, residing hidden from public view among other unique Rolls-Royces. Prior to sale, this wonderful Silver Wraith has been recommissioned by Ristes Motor Company with careful consideration taken to not compromise its state of preservation—even the whitewall tyres are believed to be the original items from period. Part of the recommissioning included minor paint corrections to repair damage during shipping from Belgium in 1973. Following recommissioning, it was road-registered for the first time since 1950!

Very few Rolls-Royces were built for use by royals, even fewer in Cabriolet form. One of Van den Plas’s last creations, specified and used by the revered Prince Regent Charles, this Silver Wraith has continuous provenance from new and today displays just 11,106 kilometres on the odometer, which is believed to be correct. Preserved in extraordinarily original condition, it seems unlikely another Rolls-Royce with genuine royal history such as this will be available again soon.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/ch25/.