Engine : 8 cylinder 90 degree V configuration
Transmission : Rear wheel drive, 3 speed automatic gearbox
Chassis and body:
5 seater 4 door saloon, steel monocoque,
separate sub framesfront and rear,
independent front suspension with coil springs.
Dimensions : Wheelbase 120 inches
Max speed : 120 mph (193 km/h) - acceleration 0 - 60 mph in 11.3 seconds
The modification to the radiator,
which allowed the bumper to slip under it, was dictated by US
regulation that required a bumper
to be fitted that would absorb an impact of 5 mph without causing
permanent damage to the vehicle.
Those cars not destined for the
USA received a front air dam. This hinted at the extensive
wind tunnel testing
to which the car had been subjected,
where the installation of this item had convinced designers of the need
to provide better stability at
high speed.
The driver found several particular
changes that made it more comfortable to drive in traffic.
The recirculating ball steering
of the earlier models had been replaced by a
rack and pinion arrangement.the
new unit felt crisper and reacted more quickly.
The latter resulted from the newly
tuned front suspension which led especially to a
more precise wheel attitude.
Combined with the gear selector
was a switch for speed
control,
which enabled a chosen speed to
be maintained without operating the accelerator pedal.
The dashboard had a new layout.
In a similar
manner to that of the Bentley of
the period, guages for oil pressure, cooling system temperature,
fuel and generator were combined
in one circular instrument, rather than being scattered in the form
of single units over the facia.
A reminder of the cars from the
early post-war period was the choice
of the name of Silver Wraith II
for the long wheelbase model; the first Rolls-Royce motor car after the
Second World War had been so christened.
The new bearer of this name had a 4
inch (10cm) longer
wheelbase than the standard model;
this increase was entirely for the benefit of rear seat passengers who
enjoyed more leg room. If the
car was ordered with the optional
"limousine" division, the room gained was lost because of its depth.
Without measuring the wheelbase
the Silver Wraith II could be distinguished from the Silver Shadow II
by the fact that a smaller
rear screen was fitted and, usually, the roof
was covered with Everflex.