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The Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn shared much of its all-steel factory body and mechanicals with the Bentley Mark VI. The company realized that the market still had room for individually commissioned, bespoke automobiles on the same chassis, and so the Silver Dawn could be had without bodywork. The factory actually catalogued two different styles of drophead coupes on the chassis, with both being produced by Park Ward, of Willesden.
Body style number 322 had the 'dipped' fenders, which were a signature of early post-war Packard designs. These fenders curved to envelope the front fenders, faded down into the sides of the body, and extended again to cover the rear wheels with a 'spat.' They had a neatly folding convertible top with room to accommodate four adults. Just a dozen examples of the Silver Dawns were built to this style, of which only six were delivered to the United States.
This Silver Dawn, chassis number LSLE43, is powered by the 128-horsepower engine. It was built for Eli Lilly Jr., of the Eli Lilly Company in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The car has an automatic transmission, high-frequency horns, a medium-wave radio, sealed beam headlamps, and wide whitewall tires, and it also came with 'blinker' turn signals, to be fitted in the United States.
The car left England for the United States on March 20, 1953, via the SS American Banker. On September 18, 1953, it was delivered to distributor S.H. Arnolt in Chicago, from whom it was sent to Auto Imports Company, of Indianapolis, Mr. Lilly's dealer of choice. Mr. Lilly took delivery of the car while vacationing in Palm Beach, Florida, as it was then sent on to Foreign Motors there.
Mr. Lilly later sold the car to Sexton W. Phelps, of New York City and Connecticut, then Charles D. Lane, of St. Louis, Missouri, and later Paul Rizzo, of East Meadow, New York. The current owner acquired it from the estate of Sam Garrett.
The car is finished in black and red and has a two-tone leather interior.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2014
Body style number 322 had the 'dipped' fenders, which were a signature of early post-war Packard designs. These fenders curved to envelope the front fenders, faded down into the sides of the body, and extended again to cover the rear wheels with a 'spat.' They had a neatly folding convertible top with room to accommodate four adults. Just a dozen examples of the Silver Dawns were built to this style, of which only six were delivered to the United States.
This Silver Dawn, chassis number LSLE43, is powered by the 128-horsepower engine. It was built for Eli Lilly Jr., of the Eli Lilly Company in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The car has an automatic transmission, high-frequency horns, a medium-wave radio, sealed beam headlamps, and wide whitewall tires, and it also came with 'blinker' turn signals, to be fitted in the United States.
The car left England for the United States on March 20, 1953, via the SS American Banker. On September 18, 1953, it was delivered to distributor S.H. Arnolt in Chicago, from whom it was sent to Auto Imports Company, of Indianapolis, Mr. Lilly's dealer of choice. Mr. Lilly took delivery of the car while vacationing in Palm Beach, Florida, as it was then sent on to Foreign Motors there.
Mr. Lilly later sold the car to Sexton W. Phelps, of New York City and Connecticut, then Charles D. Lane, of St. Louis, Missouri, and later Paul Rizzo, of East Meadow, New York. The current owner acquired it from the estate of Sam Garrett.
The car is finished in black and red and has a two-tone leather interior.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2014
2014 Motor City Auction by RM Auctions
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $325,000-USD $450,000
Sale Price :
USD $352,000
2010 Bonhams - Quail Lodge
Sale Price :
USD $315,000
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn
(Data based on Model Year 1953 sales)
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupé by Park Ward Chassis#: LSNF41 Sold for USD$86,715 2024 RM Sothebys : Monaco | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Standard Steel Saloon Chassis#: LSMF8 Sold for USD$40,320 2023 Bonhams : Audrain Concours Auction | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Standard Steel Saloon Chassis#: LSMF16 Sold for USD$21,280 2023 Bonhams : The Greenwich Auction | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Sports Saloon Chassis#: LSNF35 Sold for USD$43,680 2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn 4½-Litre Saloon Chassis#: LSMF6 Sold for USD$22,861 2022 Bonhams : Spring Motoring Online | |
1953 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER DAWN SALOON Chassis#: LSMF12 Sold for USD$36,960 2022 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon Chassis#: LSMF50 Sold for USD$53,760 2021 Bonhams : Greenwich Concours dElegance Online Auction | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon Chassis#: LSNF5 Sold for USD$45,920 2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon Sold for USD$31,900 2018 Mecum : Indianapolis | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Sold for USD$15,000 2017 Mecum : Indianapolis | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe by H.J. Mulliner Chassis#: LSLE31 Sold for USD$451,000 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Four-Door Saloon Sold for USD$33,550 2015 Auctions America - Fort Lauderdale | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe by Park Ward Chassis#: LSLE43 Sold for USD$352,000 2014 Motor City Auction by RM Auctions | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe Chassis#: LSLE 43 Sold for USD$315,000 2010 Bonhams - Quail Lodge | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon Chassis#: SNF67 Sold for USD$53,006 2010 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Chassis#: LSKE12 Sold for USD$50,000 2009 Mecum - Monterey Auction | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Cpe Sold for USD$93,500 2004 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona | |
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn DHC Sold for USD$99,000 2003 Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island |
Rolls-Royce Silver Dawns That Failed To Sell At Auction
1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1953 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn Saloon | 2013 Shannons Sydney Summer Classic Auction | $44,000 | $48,000 |
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1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn
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