Footnotes

• Rolls-Royce’s first post-war model, the Silver Wraith employed a chassis similar to that of the MkVI Bentley, though with a 7” longer wheelbase. The Wraith however, was only offered with traditional coachbuilt bodies rather than the MkVI’s pioneering ‘standard steel’ bodywork. Powering Rolls-Royce’s post-war range was a new 4,257cc six-cylinder engine of cast-iron, monobloc construction with aluminium cylinder head featuring overhead inlet and side exhaust valves. A four-speed manual gearbox with synchromesh was standard initially, an automatic option (for export models only at first) not becoming available until 1952, at which time the engine was enlarged to 4,566cc and a long-wheelbase version introduced. Production ceased in 1959, by which time 1,780 chassis had been completed.
  The last word in motoring luxury in its day, this automatic-transmission Silver Wraith was one of a fleet of limousines belonging to Findell’s Car Hire, a company established in Watford, Hertfordshire in 1945 by the late Bert Findell. This business was the premiere limousine hire-company in the locality for 60 years. Its cars made numerous appearances in films and on television, transporting stars including Joan Collins, Joanna Lumley and Pauline Collins. From 1952 to 1991 Bert Findell was chauffeur to the Mayor of Watford, and his cars were a regularly seen part of civic life in the town, transporting various dignitaries to engagements locally and also to Buckingham Palace, the Mansion House and London’s Guildhall.
  As one would expect, a major element of Findell’s business was wedding hire, and over the years the firm transported three successive generations of brides to their weddings, often enjoying repeat bookings as many couples chose to include their original car as part of their anniversary celebrations. This particular car transported Bert’s daughter, Celia, to her wedding and was passed to her on his death in 2005. Always kept garaged, it was last run in January of this year and is offered with assorted old tax discs and service information, original (1951) owner’s handbook, current road fund licence, MoT to 11th May 2007 and Swansea V5 registration document.