1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Saloon

Rolls-Royce rationalized production following World War II, with consideration towards owner driver transportation compared to chauffeur driven, and bringing production and manufacturing in-house for the first, offering factory bodywork. The standard steel bodies were produced by the Pressed Steel Fisher Company of Cowley and offered at first only on the Bentley Mark VI. The Rolls-Royce equivalent, the Silver Dawn, received these 'factory' bodies beginning in 1949.

The 'E' series of the Silver Dawn arrived in mid-1952 with thoughtful improvements made to the standard bodywork including the enlargement of the boot with associated changes to the rear wings and suspension. These changes would continue through the final 'J' series.


This particular 1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn has an enlarged stowage capacity and increased engine capacity of 4,566cc from the OHV inline-6. It has a four-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, an independent front suspension, and a live rear axle.

This Rolls-Royce was ordered new by an executive at Fahnestock and Co. named Sherburn M Becker Jr. of Locust Valley, New York. The Silver Ghost had left the factory finished in Blue with Silver coachlines and Blue Connolly leather and delivered in November 1953. The vehicle's next recorded owner was Hal Davis of Germantown, New York, who purchased the vehicle in October of 1974. In 1979, it was in the care of Samuel Schwartz of Cedarhurst, Long Island. In October of 1983, the Rolls was purchased by W. Bruce Wilson of Littletown, Colorado who had the vehicle regularly serviced at local specialists from the 1980s through 2010. The present owner purchased the vehicle in April of 2012. At the time of purchase, the vehicle was in well-preserved condition wearing a 20-year-old repaint.

By Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2022