Catherine Tejada
Sale Coordinator
LOT 22
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Standard Steel Saloon Chassis no. LSLE45 Engine no. S47E
Sold for US$19,040 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 22
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Standard Steel Saloon
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Standard Steel Saloon
Chassis no. LSLE45
Engine no. S47E
Chassis no. LSLE45
Engine no. S47E
4,566cc F-Head Inline Six-Cylinder Engine
Single Downdraft Solex Carburetor
130bhp (est.)
4-speed Hydramatic Automatic Transmission
Independent Coil Spring Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle with Leaf Springs
4-Wheel Hydraulically Assisted Drum Brakes
* The first Rolls-Royce model with factory coachwork
*Elegant early postwar styling
*Honest and original condition
*An ideal candidate for refurbishment
THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER DAWN
Rolls-Royce made significant leaps toward rationalization in the 1930s which continued after the war with the company's first application of standard bodywork on the Mark VI Bentley. Rolls-Royce's first post-WWII product, the Mark VI was introduced in 1946, three years ahead of its sister car, the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. The decision to offer 'in house' bodywork had been dictated by economic realities and evolving customer demands. Despite the misgivings of traditionalists, exports and sales rose steadily.
Notable features of the new chassis included a new independent front suspension design and hydraulic front brakes. Power came from a 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. This was preferred to the Mk VI'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 trunk 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 CAR OFFERED
According to copies of the factory records which reside with the Rolls-Royce Owners Club in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the car was built for the Canadian market when new and delivered via Rolls-Royce of Canada to J.A. Boyd. Those same build records note that it was supplied in Masons Black, complemented by Beige hides and piping. Factory fittings include a sliding sunroof, twin Lucas fog lamps, medium-wave radio, high-frequency horns, additional under-dash heater, and an automatic gearbox. The accompanying Schoellkopf ownership card notes that by 1964, the car was in the care of Dr. Lawrence Jones of New York, New York.
As offered here, this Silver Dawn is remarkably original and presented in unrestored condition with an honest patina throughout. It would be the ideal candidate for a straightforward restoration, or to prepare for long-distance driving events, where these cars are known to excel. Please note that since coming into the care of the current owner, this vehicle has been on long-term static display in a dry climate, it has not been started while in Bonhams care, and will require recommissioning.
Single Downdraft Solex Carburetor
130bhp (est.)
4-speed Hydramatic Automatic Transmission
Independent Coil Spring Front Suspension, Live Rear Axle with Leaf Springs
4-Wheel Hydraulically Assisted Drum Brakes
* The first Rolls-Royce model with factory coachwork
*Elegant early postwar styling
*Honest and original condition
*An ideal candidate for refurbishment
THE ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER DAWN
Rolls-Royce made significant leaps toward rationalization in the 1930s which continued after the war with the company's first application of standard bodywork on the Mark VI Bentley. Rolls-Royce's first post-WWII product, the Mark VI was introduced in 1946, three years ahead of its sister car, the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn. The decision to offer 'in house' bodywork had been dictated by economic realities and evolving customer demands. Despite the misgivings of traditionalists, exports and sales rose steadily.
Notable features of the new chassis included a new independent front suspension design and hydraulic front brakes. Power came from a 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. This was preferred to the Mk VI'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 trunk 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 CAR OFFERED
According to copies of the factory records which reside with the Rolls-Royce Owners Club in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the car was built for the Canadian market when new and delivered via Rolls-Royce of Canada to J.A. Boyd. Those same build records note that it was supplied in Masons Black, complemented by Beige hides and piping. Factory fittings include a sliding sunroof, twin Lucas fog lamps, medium-wave radio, high-frequency horns, additional under-dash heater, and an automatic gearbox. The accompanying Schoellkopf ownership card notes that by 1964, the car was in the care of Dr. Lawrence Jones of New York, New York.
As offered here, this Silver Dawn is remarkably original and presented in unrestored condition with an honest patina throughout. It would be the ideal candidate for a straightforward restoration, or to prepare for long-distance driving events, where these cars are known to excel. Please note that since coming into the care of the current owner, this vehicle has been on long-term static display in a dry climate, it has not been started while in Bonhams care, and will require recommissioning.
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