1953 Silver Dawn

1953 Rolls-Royce Other Description

Up for sale is a 1953 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn. My father originally acquired the car in 2001 and began a restoration in 2012 which he did not finish. Not for lack of skill – he just ran out of time. The car is currently mid-restoration, which can be a blessing or a curse depending on your attitude toward life. The owner, shop and service manuals will also go a long way in helping you if you decide to tackle this endeavor.

Currently, the car is in a rolling chassis condition, as the front panels are off and interior has been removed. With effort, it would be running again. (Unlike my father, I lack both skill and time) The drive trainis in place, and some of the motor components have been removed for restoration – some parts have been restored, others await their turn on the workbench.

The interior is in varied shape – my father finished the woodwork and much of it is stored in the barn next to the car. Some pieces have been placed into his main shop for safe-keeping. My father was a master woodworker and clock-builder. His woodworking was masterful, and his work on this car was no exception. I’ll let the pictures tell that for me.

The original leather is cracked and worn as it would be for a car of this age, but it’s all there, in it’s original red. Some pieces will probably require replication, but they are there.

As for the body of the car – he intended to finish the car in two-tone; black with maroon side panels. These have been kept in the upper part of the barn for safe keeping, as it was labour-intensive to get them in the shape he wanted them. That said, the car is mid-restoration and up for sale, so the direction the car goes is in the hands of the buyer.

Mechanically, the car was sound prior to disassembly. The only problem was a “knock” on the floorboard while underway. I would assume it was a sag in the floorboard. Otherwise, the car would maintain highway speeds and handled well. My father used the car for pleasure, the occasional errand, and of course – the family ice cream run. I don't recall the exact mileage, as it has been a while since I looked at the gauges - I believe it is around 37,000, and I'd like to be as honest as I can.

Aside from that, the car has an interesting history. The Baroness Koenigswarter owned this car originally, and spent a significant amount of time with Thelonius Monk, a very popular jazz musician. If you’re interested in this car, I would recommend doing some reading on both of them, as they can several pictures with the car, and their cigarette butts have been left in the ashtray in the rear.

If you have questions, feel free to contact me. Please be patient, as I work long hours and don’t always have the opportunity to respond, but I will do my best. And of course, if you'd like to discuss things over the phone, we can arrange something.

Thank you, Joshua Bacon