1950s Rolls Royce Silver Dawn - the most beautiful Rolls Royce ever made?

Rolls Royce Silver Dawn

The Rolls Royce Silver Dawn was brought into a new world for Rolls Royce. Gone was the era of the 30s where Rolls had had several models all largely unique in their parts listings and the company had survived the war and contributed their war efforts and now faced life in a new era, one where money wasn’t so freely available and the customer needed something different.

Unlike others which faltered, Rolls rose to the challenge and created the new rationalised range - a range which cut their base costs and yet delivered in a range of cars which would meet customer demands.

Now it would be remiss of us to talk about the Silver Dawn and to fail to mention the Bentley MK 6 which was introduced in 1946. The car with its 4,257cc engine, four speed manual transmission, sturdy chassis frame and independent front suspension was complemented by an attractive all-steel body designed by an in-house team led by Ivan Everden. This was a move away of course, from that pre-war ethos of coach builders creating the final look of the cars.

The success of this car was then instrumental in creating change for Rolls. The demand for the MK 6 always outstripped supply but in the USA, Bentley sales amounted to less than 3% of the output. In plain speak, Rolls Royce see this as a market gap they can fill with a model and they introduce the Silver Dawn as we’re testing today.

There are of course styling variations and some of these are down to simple things like the radiator. However, the team didn’t stray far from the team who had created the successful formula of the MK6 and John Blatchley who had created the Bentley’s interior oversaw the tweaks to the Silver Dawn.

John later went on to become chief stylist at Rolls Royce and some of his successes included the Silver Cloud and Silver Shadow.

Mechanically, both cars share a lot of DNA which plays into the rationalisation strategy, however, the Bentley was fitted with twin SU carbs and a slightly different camshaft. It’s worth mentioning some of this was down to preference of the export market.

The car after all this hard effort comes to market in 1949 and as I mention for reasons later, is export only. The overseas market are the first to cast eyes on it and it goes on show at the 1949 International World Fair in Toronto aimed at the connoisseur who wanted quality but didn’t need a chauffuer.

Although this was the first Rolls Royce to be offered as a complete vehicle, there was the option for coach building and of the cars made, only 64 buyers picked this option.

Rolls Royce, despite a very small production run, didn’t rest on their laurels and in 1951 took the engine up to 4566cc followed by the larger boot introduction in 1952 - features both evident on this car.

Production came to an end in 1955.

In 2010, in the Rolls Royce Enthusiast Club year book, the writer Roy Brooks stated over 70% still exist. The price for a decent one like the one we’re testing isn’t giving you much change from £50,000 but luxury is of course, never cheaply obtained.

[RobinPalmerTV]

If these classics could see their modern day offspring, they would cry.

[RexWaldron]

My Dad owned a 1952 Bentley Mark VI in the early 1970s. It was one of the most comfortable cars I have ever ridden in. In 1972, that (then) 20 year old Bentley took us as a family from the Midlands to the Vendee in France and back. She never missed a beat and romped along those fast French routes nationales at an easy 80 - 90 mph. Being the Bentley and having the higher state of tune she was a genuine 100 mph car. The Auttocar road test of the Bentley in 1952 recorded a top speed of exactly 100 mph - a speed the car would readily reach on the motorway. Very happy memories of that car evoked by your excellent review Steph!

[mikedearinger]

I was born in 1950 and I must say the Rolls has held up better than me. Dash is a work of art. Many thanks Steph.

[PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars]

What a GLORIOUS colour! Really suits that car.

[philmiller]

Friends of ours had a 1954 Silver Dawn and they were kind enough to drive our daughter to and from her wedding here in Ontario, Canada. I've been around classic cars all my life and theirs was the prettiest Rolls I've ever seen. It was two tone, in Metallic Burgundy and Metallic Champagne. We will be eternally grateful to them for adding such a classy touch to our daughters special day!

[Vince_uk]

Truly magnificent machine in every sense of the word.

[WWarped]

Fabulous car. The older Rolls with the contrast between the bold grill, with stark, crisp, horizontal and vertical lines. Then paired with curves, and rolling bodywork. Simply lovely. Always loved them. Great video, thank you.

[Betleyman]

You know you are old when a classic car was made the year after you were born!

[glennmckenzie]

Looking damn glam in that coat - very Bond Girl!

[jeffreywhitehead]

Hi Steph
I get to drive one around Victoria Australia often and you're absolutely right about how well and what a pleasure the Dawn is to drive. I even got the original valve radio going albeit the antenna connection on the turn knob needs fixing next. A great touring car to with tones of character. It makes sense about the kneeling lady which I didn't know. Thanks for the splendid details and the quality of your presentation just keeps getting better. We hope to see you down here one day and I recommend the anual Florence Thompson tour in April for you. "To celebrate the pioneering spirit and contribution of women to Australian motoring"

[clintonflynn]

Thanks Steph. I so thoroughly enjoy your passion for these works of art. Greetings from San Francisco, California, USA. (where I drive a 1974 Jensen Healey)

[penfold]

Another great car video. 👍
For a moment at the start, I thought you where going to say “Hi my name is Steph and I’ve won the Lottery”

[brianmcelvogue]

you are putting out better content all the time steph, good show 👏

[michaelhalsall]

This is the third Rolls-Royce you have reviewed over the years. Beautiful car and now highly collectable!

[davidjones]

A relic of the time when a RR had presence, unlike the hideous obscenities they turn out today. The exterior colour and upholstery are a perfect match.

[UrbanoDagrippino]

Rolls Royce always been that sign of class and British craftmanship

[kfl]

When I think of a Rolls Royce - this is the 'type' I think of. Those kind of squarish bodies, big finders over the wheels, Grill you can see and tell is a Rolls from blocks away. Other then a Rolls built in the 1920's, these to me are some of the most prestigious, stately and most beautiful cars ever build. Nothing like what Rolls or Bentley are cranking out today. Thanks so much for posting this video.

[nigelwells]

There's nothing old fashioned about a wonderful and memorable drive. That's what the mascot represents. Grace, pace, elegance and character. All the things we've lost in cars today. Rolls Royce's and Bentleys had it all. I envy you having the chance to take one for a cruise. Just nearby here in Auckland there is a Bentley Mark IV which has been left out in the weather for six years ! Great video Steph. Good luck with the Standard project.

[peepshow]

The quarter lite has what glazers call a capilory, beautiful touch of practical use of gravity. Love your videos 😊

[hugothebear]

Beautiful car and great video drive… ps that foreign company which developed the braking system which RR adopted was Hispano Suiza ( maybe you will drive one for us one day too… )