4,566-cc Inline F-Head 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Carburetor
130-hp (est.)
4-Speed Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission
Independent Coil Spring Front and Live Rear Axle with Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs Rear Suspension
4-Wheel Power-Assisted Hydraulic Drum Brakes

* Elegant and understated Rolls sedan
* Comprehensive restoration in 1990s, limited use since
* Original USA car, delivered to Eli Lilly Corporation
* More than 20 years in current ownership

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.

The range featured a new 4,257cc six-cylinder engine (enlarged to 4,566cc for 1951) with inlet-over-exhaust valve gear, which had been under development since the mid-1930s. The company used belt drive for the water pump and dynamo for the first time on this engine, which employed a Zenith Stromberg carburetor in Rolls-Royce configuration. The latter was preferred to the MkVI's twin SUs as it offered smoother running and a cold start facility, which was not available on the SU-equipped Bentley until 1952.

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.

Because England was in the throes of a post-war financial crisis and needed hard currency, the Silver Dawn was an export-only model until 1953. Consequently, the bulk of the production is left hand drive. Only 760 were made, 60-some receiving custom bodies.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

A supremely elegant and sporting sedan, SMF48 was one of at least three Silver Dawns ordered new by the Eli Lilly International Corp., this being supplied in April 1953. Its factory records, copies of which are on file, confirm that it received a very individualized paint scheme as new, being Thornley & Knights Velvet Green to the top of the body, body and hood moulding, as well as the trunk, while the lower panels, all wings and wheels were in Shell Grey. The interior matched this with grey leather and green piping.

Its history is traced through the Rolls-Royce Owners Club records, showing it to be with Roy R. Pollard of Roanoke, Virginia in 1980. By 1998, the car was owned by collector, dealer Dennis Nicotra, who offered it for sale in the Summer issue of Flying Lady, describing it as "totally restored to the highest standards", and by now the car was in the Oxford Blue with grey interior scheme that we find it today. From Nicotra, the car passed to Michael Carroll of Milwaukee and then to Vantage Motor Works in Florida. The car entered the current ownership in August 2001.

The Silver Dawn presents extremely well given the age of its restoration and the long period of inactivity it has experienced. We advise that a fully checking over and recommissioning be carried out prior to its road use, but all indications are that this should be a straightforward process. Similarly, the aesthetics while showing minor signs of age, should improve with careful attention to its details.