1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn

4,566cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Zenith Carburetor
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension – Live Rear Axle
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

* Desirable specification of Rolls-Royce
* Delivered new to Locust Valley, New York
* Original left-hand drive, US delivery
* Documented by copies of its build records and service records from the 1980s to 2010

THE SILVER DAWN

The policy of rationalization begun in the late 1930s continued at Rolls-Royce after WWII; more components were bought in rather than manufactured in house and for the first time there was factory bodywork, which was better suited to the owner driver than to a chauffeur. Produced by the Pressed Steel Fisher Company, of Cowley, this 'standard steel' body was available at first only on the MkVI Bentley, the equivalent Rolls-Royce - the Silver Dawn - not appearing until 1949. A separate chassis was retained, the same basic design being built in three different wheelbase lengths, while other notable features were independent front suspension and hydraulic front brakes.

A welcome improvement to the standard bodywork arrived in mid-1952 in the shape of an enlarged boot together with associated changes to the rear wings and suspension. This design was introduced on the 'E' series Silver Dawn and was retained until the final 'J' series. The first Rolls-Royce to be offered with factory bodywork, the Silver Dawn is recognized as a landmark model in the marque's history and is fast becoming sought after as the enthusiasts' choice.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

LSMF2 dates from that later series of cars with the enlarged stowage and increased engine capacity. The car was ordered new by Sherburn M Becker Jr., an executive at Fahnestock and Co and the son of his namesake who was famous for having been elected mayor of Milwaukee at only 29 years old. Finished in Blue with Silver coachlines and Blue Connolly leather and delivered in November 1953, Becker no doubt enjoyed shuttling himself from his home in Locust Valley, New York to his offices in Lower Manhattan.

According to the copy of the Schoellkopf Card on file, the next recorded owner was Hal Davis of Germantown, New York, deep in the Hudson Valley, who acquired the Rolls in October 1974. Five years later, the Dawn was back in Long Island with Samuel Schwartz of Cedarhurst. In October of 1983, the Rolls would leave the Empire State for the first time and head to Littletown, Colorado to join the garage of W. Bruce Wilson. Mr. Wilson would be a careful and thoughtful custodian of LSFM2, regularly servicing the car at local specialists as recorded by the numerous receipts on file dating from the 1980s through 2010. When acquired by the present owner in April of 2012, the Rolls was described as a well-preserved example with a single [then] 20-year-old repaint.

On static display since acquisition, mechanical recommissioning is recommended prior to active touring and use.