Hello Ashley,
In April 2004, I bought HLW46, a 1958 Rolls-Rolls Silver Wrath limousine (HJ Mulliner) which was, according to the book [Rolls-Royce State Motor Cars] by Andrew Pastouna, one of 4 identical cars built for the Australian Government for Vice-Regal and Royal Tours duties.
As you can see, it now has the registration plate, RR SW.
I've spoken to the owners of the other two Silver Wraiths (HLW45 - in NSW, Australia) and (HLW48 - in Victoria, Australia), but the 4th (HLW50) was apparently written off in a high-speed accident, and by anecdote ended up in Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.
Now that sounds a little fishy, if you'll pardon the pun, but I am unable to find anyone who can reliably tell me what did happen to HLW50 and, again by repute, it is now in Japan. I don't have any idea as to whether this final destination is correct either.
HLW47 and HLW49 were two extra Silver Wraiths built in the same order but as cabriolets (which would be just fabulous) and I've heard that they (a) went to museum in Perth and (b) went to a wealthy collector in the USA. Any ideas about their whereabouts would be fascinating too.
I have a pair of Silver Cloud 1's too (1956 SYB70 and 1957 SED105) and all 3 having the same engine does make life just a tiny bit easier, but a source of oil filters for these would be extremely useful.....!
If you have any information at all, I'd be very pleased to hear from you.
Best wishes from Auckland
Ross Stewart
Email Ross here
First Class Classics, PO Box 26-116, Epsom, Auckland 1344
http://www.firstclassclassics.co.nz phone: (09) 630-3564
