Lot details
Registration No: KKU 5
Chassis No: SPG11
Mot Expiry: Exempt

Unveiled in 1949, the Silver Dawn had the distinction of being the first Rolls-Royce to be offered with a factory-built body, which it shared (along with the chassis) with its MKVI Bentley sibling. The newcomer was initially powered by a 4257cc version of the company's straight-six engine, but this was increased to 4566 during 1951. The unit was mated to either a manual or automatic gearbox - both four-speed. Suspension was independent at the front and by live axle on semi-elliptic leaves at the rear. Braking was by servo-assisted drums all-round. A total of just 481 Silver Dawns had been manufactured by the time the model was supplanted by the Silver Cloud.

This delightful Silver Dawn was delivered new by Rippon Brothers of Huddersfield to a J. Rawson of Stanningley near Leeds on March 19th 1954. These lovely Rolls-Royces do tend to suffer from corrosion, so there is considerable peace of mind to be had from knowing that a comprehensive body restoration was carried out by RS Panels of Nuneaton in 1998 at a cost of £18,211.33, during which any rot was removed, the sliding roof and radiator grille slats repaired and the whole car resprayed in Shell Grey, one of its two original colours. 'KKU 5' is well known within the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club (RREC), having attended many of the organisation's events. It is now offered complete with RREC chassis records, original owner's manual and service handbook, a Silver Dawn Parts List Volume One, photos and invoice relating to the work carried out by RS Panels, and a large collection of other invoices, old tax discs and MOT certificates. The most recent of the latter was carried out in 2015, despite the car being MOT exempt, and was granted with no advisories. The Rolls' indicated mileage currently stands at an unwarranted but perfectly plausible 93,189.