1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn

Lot details
Registration No: TSU 451
Chassis No: SVJ9
Mot Expiry: Aug 2006

Although, the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn and Bentley MKVI were both production ready in 1946, the Crewe concern made an eleventh hour decision to stagger their launch timetables. Unsure whether the Standard Steel Saloon coachwork that the pair wore would dilute its core values in the eyes of potential purchasers, Rolls-Royce did not introduce the Silver Dawn until 1949 and even then only as an export model. Encouraged by US sales and an increasing number of UK enquiries, the manufacturer finally sanctioned a home market version in 1953. Based around a massive cruciform-braced, box-section chassis equipped with coil-sprung independent front suspension and servo-assisted drum brakes, the Silver Dawn proved an engaging drive. Updated in line with its Bentley sibling, it received the 'big-bore' 4566cc straight-six engine in 1951 (up from 4257cc) and 'big boot' restyle (which encompassed the boot, back wings and rear suspension etc) a year or so later. Utilising a single Zenith carburettor in place of its stablemate's twin SUs, the owner-driver saloon wore a trademark temple-esque radiator grille and re-profiled bonnet. Despite, dispelling Rolls-Royce's fears that its customers would shy away from non-coachbuilt cars, the Silver Dawn is among the marque's rarest post-WW2 models with production between 1949 and 1955 thought to total just 761 cars (the vast majority of which were left-hand drive).
Finished in black over silver with light grey leather upholstery, this particular right-hand drive home market example is variously described by the vendor as being in "good" (bodywork, paintwork, wheels / tyres), "very good" (4566cc engine, four-speed automatic gearbox, electrical equipment, chassis) or "concours" (interior trim) condition. Reportedly delivered new to Mrs Katherine Low of Callander, Perthshire on 15th December 1954, chassis SVJ9 apparently remained in her possession "until 1962 when it was sold to Munrospares Ltd of Edinburgh". Exported to America during the early 1970s, it made the return voyage to the UK in 1989. Subsequently treated to a "major overhaul" by specialist P.J. Fischer (the relevant invoice reputedly runs to six pages), it entered the current ownership in 1994. Said to be "a delight to handle" that has "given trouble free service" and is "now of course running on Lead Replacement Petrol without any problems - touch wood", chassis SVJ9 is believed but not warranted to have covered 92,800 miles from new. Only offered for sale due to the re-profiling of a collection, this rare Silver Dawn comes with MOT certificate valid until August 2nd 2006 and historic class (free) road tax until July 2006.