Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 197
1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Standard Steel Saloon Chassis no. LSVJ27 Engine no. S78J
Sold for US$44,800 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 197
1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Standard Steel Saloon
1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Standard Steel Saloon
Chassis no. LSVJ27
Engine no. S78J
Chassis no. LSVJ27
Engine no. S78J
4,566-cc Inline F-Head 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Carburetor
130bhp (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
* Very unique specified car with a full page of options
* Two owners since 1980
* Documented with copies of its original build records
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
A supremely elegant and sporting sedan, LSVJ27 was ordered new by A. Abouchanab Ltd. While the exterior color of Black Masons with Gold fine lines doesn't raise eyebrows, the rest of the buildsheet on file indicates that Mr. Abouchanab had very specific tastes. A Blue leather interior was unique, but the full page of options and specifications detailing additional lightining—including Marchal fog and spotlights, anti-theft measures on the mascot, radio, and license plate, woodwork that was to be "highly polished" (their underlining for emphasis), and a rear bench seat that was set two inches lower "as Mr. Abouchanab is a heavily built man particularly around the tummy". While his address was in the UK, the car was built in left-hand drive specifications.
It is not recorded how long Mr. Abouchanab retained the car but by 1969 it was in Carmel, California with Walter Becker. Heading south to Santa Monica with Paul Woudenberg in 1971, the Rolls briefly head east to Eric Shrubsole of New York in 1975. In 1980, Lawrence Freeman of Los Angeles acquired the car and would keep it in his collection for the next 27 years until the current owner purchased it. Repainted in its original color, but with blue fine lines, it retains many of the unique details mentioned in the build records as well as a complete tool kit.
Quite infrequently used in the past decade and a half, we advise that a recommissioning be carried out prior to its road use.
Single Downdraft Carburetor
130bhp (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
* Very unique specified car with a full page of options
* Two owners since 1980
* Documented with copies of its original build records
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
A supremely elegant and sporting sedan, LSVJ27 was ordered new by A. Abouchanab Ltd. While the exterior color of Black Masons with Gold fine lines doesn't raise eyebrows, the rest of the buildsheet on file indicates that Mr. Abouchanab had very specific tastes. A Blue leather interior was unique, but the full page of options and specifications detailing additional lightining—including Marchal fog and spotlights, anti-theft measures on the mascot, radio, and license plate, woodwork that was to be "highly polished" (their underlining for emphasis), and a rear bench seat that was set two inches lower "as Mr. Abouchanab is a heavily built man particularly around the tummy". While his address was in the UK, the car was built in left-hand drive specifications.
It is not recorded how long Mr. Abouchanab retained the car but by 1969 it was in Carmel, California with Walter Becker. Heading south to Santa Monica with Paul Woudenberg in 1971, the Rolls briefly head east to Eric Shrubsole of New York in 1975. In 1980, Lawrence Freeman of Los Angeles acquired the car and would keep it in his collection for the next 27 years until the current owner purchased it. Repainted in its original color, but with blue fine lines, it retains many of the unique details mentioned in the build records as well as a complete tool kit.
Quite infrequently used in the past decade and a half, we advise that a recommissioning be carried out prior to its road use.
Additional information
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