1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn

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. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% Dutch import tax plus 21% VAT on the hammer. If exporting immediately to another country, then tax/duty will only be paid in that country.

The winning bidder will 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, [email protected].

Chassis No: LSBA64.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, this 1951 LHD manual (column shift) Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn does not come with any history or provenance beyond whatever photocopies are shown in the documents section.

Since it first rolled of the production line when ‘The African Queen’ was in the cinema and Nat King Cole’s ‘Unforgettable’ was in the charts, this car has covered just 91,347 kilometres.

That’s really not much in the great scheme of things.

We are guessing – from its generally good condition and the US-based Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) sticker on the window – that the car spent all, most or some of its time somewhere (hopefully sunny and salt-free) in the USA.

We haven’t started or driven the car, so our appraisal is based entirely on its cosmetic appearance.

We believe it entered the vendor’s collection of static display vehicles in 2013.

Eagle-eyed observers will have noted that this magnificent Rolls-Royce is adorned with a kneeling ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ mascot.

War years aside, this mascot was used between 1934 and 1956, apparently in response to requests from drivers of the (relatively) more sporting saloons for a lower mascot that might allow a better view of the road ahead.

After 1956, a smaller version of the original standing ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ was fitted.

The bodywork is really very good all round, with the panels, panel gaps and shut lines consistent and even pretty much everywhere you look.

There are no dents or creases of any real significance, although there are a couple of small, shallow indentations on both doors on the driver’s side.

The sunroof doesn’t close properly at the rear.

The handsome gold paint clearly has clearly been applied in more recent years and is in very reasonable condition.

The lights, lenses and wheels are also impressive, as are the badging, trim and other exterior fixtures and fittings.

There are a couple of scuffs on the section of bodywork beneath the boot lid, plus a scuff on the edge of the rear driver’s-side door.

There’s also a scratch on top of the front wing on the driver’s side and a short vertical streak of discolouration on the same wing.

The rear bumper has a couple of scuffs and some paint chips to show for its years of dutiful service.

There are some rust-coloured scuffs and stains along the tops of the sills on both sides, but there are no signs of any pervasive underlying rust as far as we can see.

The interior is every bit as good as the exterior and the cream leather upholstery has held up very well, front and back, with the exception of the rather loose front passenger seat squab.

The door cards are decent, save for some staining on the armrests both front and back on the driver’s side.

The wood and veneers are good all round, as is the headlining.

The carpets and mats have attracted the attention of some voracious moths over the years but are not, we think, entirely beyond salvation.

The rear picnic tables have clear plastic protectors over the table-top surfaces. There are some scuffs and spots visible under these protectors.

The interior trim on the driver’s side ‘C’ pillar is loose.

The dashboard is mostly very good, although the pull-out drawer beneath the glove box is broken and is inclined to promptly fall on the floor when pulled out.

What appears to be the car’s original radio is still in place.

A detached wing mirror is sitting on the parcel shelf for some random, unknown reason.

The boot – both the lower and upper sections of it – is in good condition

We can’t make any claims about the full functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t started or driven the car.

The clean, dry engine and engine bay look particularly good and would suggest that this car has been well looked-after during its long and no doubt rather stately life.

The undersides of the car appear to have plenty of structural integrity from what we can see.

Unless otherwise stated, this car comes with no history or service records beyond whatever photocopied records are shown in the gallery.

No documents shown in the gallery in any way constitute any kind of licensing or registration certification.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

We think this is a good example of a fine hand-built Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn

Provided, of course, that the engine, electrics and mechanicals are amenable to recommissioning and as good as the rest of it, we think this grand old motor car has the potential to offer its next owner many years of exquisitely classy motoring and ownership.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €14,000 -€18,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in a bonded warehouse near Amsterdam. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.