A ROLLS ALSO RISES; 1954 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER DAWN.(News)

Byline: JOHN F. KATZ

It was because the sun was setting on the British Empire that the Silver Dawn arose.

Unlike some of its continental competitors, Rolls-Royce foresaw only dwindling possibilities in the postwar period for hyperexpensive exotics such as the V12 Phantom III. In its place, Rolls rolled out the six-cylinder Silver Wraith. The same chassis, but with a shorter (120-inch) wheelbase, smaller (16-inch) wheels and twin SU carburetors, also served as the Bentley Mark VI, which offered cataloged bodies, while the Silver Wraith did not. By 1949, however, the urgent need for foreign cash led to the first-ever factory-bodied Rolls, as the famous Grecian grille was grafted onto the Bentley "Standard Steel Saloon.'' With the Bentley's smaller dimensions and a single Stromberg carb, the resulting Silver Dawn was initially intended for export only.

For 1951, the F-head engine that powered all Rolls/Bentleys was bored out from 4257 cc to 4566 cc. For '52, the Bentley became the R-type, with an extended luggage locker, while the Silver Dawn remained the Silver Dawn, with a longer trunk. The Silver Dawn was exhibited at Earl's Court in Britain in October '53; domestic sales commenced soon after.

Chassis No. SPG 77 was originally delivered to R. Zelker of Park Road, London, with optional flashing turn signals and newly available Hydra-Matic transmission (licensed from General Motors). Bob Leonard has owned the car since 1998.

The cockpit is vintage narrow, the seats on par with the best the United States offered ...