The English coachbuilder Hooper produced many types of bodies upon the Silver Wraith chassis, but among its rarest and most formal designs is the 7-passenger limousine, as offered here.
Just 10 examples of these hand-wrought aluminum beauties were created between 1947 and 1951; the first was built for Lord Louis Mountbatten in his service as Viceroy of India. The last, offered here, was delivered new to the United Kingdom’s most powerful media mogul, The Right Honorable James Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley.
From 1920 until 1955, Lord Kemsley enjoyed considerable political influence on account of his 22 major newspapers. He was also the patron of several authors, most notably Ian Fleming.
Maintenance records from the Viscount’s ownership indicate rear-cabin modifications undertaken in July 1952 by Hooper to replicate several features as found on the Aga Khan’s famous Phantom IV Sedanca de Ville, in which Kemsley had recently traveled. These modifications included the fitment of tinted purdah glass, special silk rope pulls, an armrest storage box with newspaper cubby, supplemental reading lights, and interior mirrors.
Rather interestingly, the sale of WME85 is accompanied by a special coin set and pin given to Lord Kemsley during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in June 1953. The consignor discovered these items wedged under the rear seat, presumably misplaced there during the coronation festivities.
By late 1956, Lord Kemsley had sold WME85 back to Rolls-Royce, and it was subsequently given the factory registration plates “6518 TU” for use as a diplomatic limousine in service of the British government. These registration plates remain with the car to the present. The car was discovered by the consignor in 1997. At the time, its odometer indicated just under 12,800 miles, and was reportedly in an extremely original but disused state.
Since emerging from its restoration by renowned marque specialist Ralph Curzon, WME85 has won numerous awards at several important national-level Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club events, including Best in Show and Finest Hooper Car twice. Furthermore, it was awarded a coveted People’s Choice prize at the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance.
