Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe 1954
General description :
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Park Ward Drophead Coupe 1 of 12 Built This Park Ward Drophead Coupe, design number 355, is one of only twelve made. The swooping, black front fenders blend seamlessly into the tapered rear with spats covering the rear wheels. The dual-tone Grey paint set off the matching Maroon seats and convertible top. Left hand drive enhances the driving experience in North America.According to copies of the factory record, this stunning Rolls was ordered by Hess Brothers department store in Allentown, Pennsylvania. With offices in London, Rome, and Paris, Hess Brothers were known for being purveyors of the latest fashions, so it is little surprise that their vehicle of choice was also on the cutting edge. In addition to its elegant, aforementioned colorway, it was fitted with a power top, medium wave radio, white wall tires, and all the accoutrements required for the American market.Completed at the factory on May 29, 1952, Hess Brothers took receipt on August 25 of that year and kept them for about nine months before heading to the Woodbridge, Connecticut garage of Sereno Clark Sperry, Jr. in June 1953. Mr. Sperry would enjoy his drop top for six and a half years, trading it in on the purchase of a brand-new Bentley Continental Flying Spur with J.S. Inskip on April 17, 1959. A copy of the invoice for the new Bentley listing the trade is on fileInskip valued the Rolls at $7,500 at the time, leaving a $14,275 balance for the new car. In December of 1959, Inskip sold the Rolls to James C. Ryan.There is no recorded history for the car until January of 1972 when it came into the collection of Richard Thomas of Stuart, Florida. Mr Thomas would retain the Rolls for the next 36 years, eventually restoring it and regularly showing it, including at the 2004 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance where it went home with the Amelia Award. Acquired by its previous owner in May of 2008, the Drophead has remained on static display for the last 14 years. Still retaining its 20 year old restoration, the car has mellowed over the years but still carries with it plenty of presence, although recommissioning will be required prior to active use. An exciting opportunity to own a unique coach built open car from Britain's most prestigious manufacturer during the period when the British motor industry regained its footing after the war. It is a rare beauty that would be the perfect transportation to one of the world's great automotive events, whether the driver is a participant or a spectator.Coachwork by Park Ward & Co. Ltd.Chassis no. LSHD48Engine no. S24DOne of only twelve madeDelivered new to Allentown, PennsylvaniaHeavily optioned with power featuredExceedingly rare, coachbuilt luxuryPrice: $267,500
1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe is listed for sale on ClassicDigest in New York by Gullwing Motor Cars for $267500.
Car Facts
Car type : Car Make : Rolls-Royce Model : Silver Dawn Model Version : Drophead Coupe Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1954 Location : Astoria Vehicle Registration : Undefined
267500 $
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About Rolls-Royce
Well, ladies and gentlemen, today we're diving into the illustrious history of a brand that has always embodied the very essence of British luxury and craftsmanship - Rolls-Royce.Our story begins at the turn of the 20th century when two visionaries, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, decided to join forces. In 1904, the very first Rolls-Royce was born, the Rolls-Royce 10 hp. It was a modest start for a company that would go on to redefine automotive excellence.
But it wasn't until 1907 that Rolls-Royce truly made its mark with the introduction of the Silver Ghost. It was hailed as the "Best Car in the World" and set the gold standard for luxury motoring. With its whisper-quiet engine and exquisite craftsmanship, it was a statement of opulence and refinement.
The 1920s brought us the Rolls-Royce Phantom I, an icon of its time. It was the first Rolls-Royce to feature a 6-cylinder engine and set the stage for the legendary Phantom line. This was the era when the Maharajas of India commissioned custom-bodied Rolls-Royces that were nothing short of automotive palaces.
Fast forward to the post-war years, and we have the Silver Cloud, a symbol of post-war British optimism. The Silver Cloud was elegance personified, with its flowing lines and handcrafted interiors. It was the choice of royalty, celebrities, and captains of industry.
But if we're talking about the epitome of Rolls-Royce luxury, it's the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, which graced us with its presence from 1968 to 1991. This was a car that made the statement that "if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it." Customization was the name of the game, and the Phantom VI was a canvas for the world's wealthiest to express their unique tastes.
Now, it's impossible to discuss Rolls-Royce without mentioning the Rolls-Royce Corniche. Produced from 1971 to 1995, it was a convertible and coupe version of the Silver Shadow. The Corniche was the quintessential grand tourer, a car for those who wished to traverse continents in absolute luxury.
But, alas, even the mightiest must face their decline, and Rolls-Royce was no exception. The company went through financial turmoil in the 1970s and 80s, leading to the takeover by Vickers plc. Then came the controversial BMW and Volkswagen ownership period, which divided enthusiasts.
Rolls-Royce regained its footing under BMW ownership, and the new millennium brought us the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII, a return to the company's roots of uncompromising luxury. The Phantom VII was a testament to British engineering and craftsmanship.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, brings us to today. Rolls-Royce continues to produce some of the most opulent, bespoke vehicles on the planet, a symbol of British imperiousness that has not waned with time. The spirit of Sir Henry Royce and Charles Rolls lives on in every car that bears the Spirit of Ecstasy, a testament to the enduring legacy of British automotive excellence.