In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this 1949 LHD manual Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn comes with no history or service records beyond whatever photocopies may be shown in the documents section.
However, we do have our listing notes from the occasion of the 2009 Bonhams Rockingham Castle auction at which it was bought for the current vendor.
These notes read as follows.
“The seventh production Silver Dawn completed, left-hand drive chassis number ‘LSBA14’ was originally exported to Switzerland, remaining in that country until it returned to the UK in December 1996. Its owner began to restore the car, fitting new front wings, before ill health brought the project to a premature halt. The chassis is described as ‘solid’, the engine as ‘running sweetly’ and the transmission as ‘smooth’; the bodywork and interior though, remain in need of extensive refurbishment.”
The photographs accompanying that 2009 listing show the then black/purple car to be very much a project, both inside and outside, and a considerable amount of time and money has evidently been spent on elevating it to its current status.
Clearly, the vehicle you see here today has, indeed, been comprehensively restored – and to a high standard as far as we can ascertain.
When, where and by whom, however, are questions to which we have no answers.
Today, the odometer reads 44,105 kms.
The car has no keys and we haven’t tried to start or drive it, so our appraisal of it is entirely based on its cosmetic appearance.
Although the overall condition of the car is really pretty good, inside and out, the same can’t be said for the front tyres. The tyre on the passenger side is the poorer of the two and is hanging off the rim of the wheel. Its counterpart on the driver’s side holds air, but not for long, and the sound of it escaping is audible.
This car is offered from outside of the European Union. It has been imported under temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to Dutch import tax (9%) on top of the winning bid price. If exporting immediately to another country, then tax/duty will only be paid in that country.
The winning bidder will also pay €500 customs charge on top of the ‘hammer’ price.
The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, as their proof of purchase.
This vehicle has been on static display in the Middle East for a number of years and the only history or paperwork available is displayed in the photo gallery. In all cases the papers shown are photocopies unless otherwise stated. We do not have the original paperwork.
Unless otherwise stated, we have not tried to start or drive the car and cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. The car is not registered anywhere.
It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.
As CARS Europe BV is the guarantor of all customs duties and taxes for vehicles within Dutch customs bond, the car cannot be released until full payment received.
All storage charges (€30 + local VAT per day commencing from the sixth day following the auction end) must be paid in full prior to the vehicle’s collection or onward transportation. Collection and viewings are strictly by appointment only.
Please send an email to the storage centre to ensure vehicle(s) are ready at time of collection. Photographic ID will be required at time of collection. If a third party is collecting for you, then written authorisation is required in advance from you and photographic ID of the third party is required at the time of collection.
CARS Europe BV will contact you after the balance payment is received to confirm onward transport requirements. For enquiries about import tax and shipping contact Madam Joanna Herlihy, +31 (0) 252 682 526, +44 7483 433912, joanna@carseurope.net.
