1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn SSS

This example is a LHD variant and comes with a manual gearbox and 4.3 litre straight-six engine.

Its exterior is finished in two tone silver and grey paint work with contrasting red pin striping that can be found running down either side of the vehicle. The Dawn benefits from a sunroof, but unfortunately, we were unable to operate it.

Internally, the car is finished in a rich red leather with wooden trim placed throughout and looks exquisite.

Mileage is recorded at 79,589KM/S.

The car comes with no history or records.

We haven’t started the car or driven it, nor did it run at the time of photographing the vehicle so our assessment of the car is based purely from its appearance.

What we can tell you is that the vehicle has been stored in a dry location.

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, joanna@carseurope.net.

As to be expected from Rolls-Royce, the craftsman of the bodywork is excellent. As far as we could tell the large majority of panels, including the panel gaps and shut lines are in-line with what one would expect from Rolls-Royce. We did notice however that the NSR door would not open, nor did it close fully.

The chrome work that is placed around the vehicle is in excellent condition and shows very little if any signs of pitting or corrosion. There are a few imperfections to note, the chrome bumper on the rear of the Rolls-Royce has at some stage in its life taken a knock and is therefore dented. The chrome bumper at the front of the vehicle is sagging on the right side, as you face the vehicle.

Glass and light lenses around the Rolls Royce appear to be in fine condition with no fading or imperfections that we noticed.

The paintwork generally is in really good condition with few blemishes that we saw. There is unfortunately some bubbling that we noted around the exterior, but as a whole the paintwork on the car presents excellently.

Overall, given the age of the vehicle the exterior is presented really well and is in fine shape, with the odd imperfection to note.

The interior of this Silver Dawn is as one would expect, finished in the highest quality of materials that money can buy or could buy at the time of ordering. Unfortunately, time has taken its toll and it is looking a little sad in places.

The leather upholstery that is found throughout is in a remarkable state, with very few signs of wear or use, and still remains comfortable and supportive as the day it left the factory. The front and rear bench as well as the door cards look fantastic and one would be hard pushed to tell that the leather and chrome work is 74 years old.

The dashboard as well as the instruments look to be in good condition but are showing signs of patina in places. Dials are clean but starting to show signs of fading and slight yellowing that we noticed.

Headlining and carpet has seen better days and would benefit from being refreshed. We noticed under the passenger side seat there was a hole in the floor pan and the lining and headlining in the rear has deteriorated.

From looking over the engine base everything appears to be in good order, with no signs of any leaks that we could see, although we have no way to verify this as the vehicle did not start or run. We can say that everything within the engine bay appears to be in original condition.

The car comes with nothing in terms of history or records. And it is not registered anywhere.

Based purely off the aesthetics of the Rolls we think this would be the perfect project for someone looking to complete a mid level restoration project. There are imperfections to be aware of but generally speaking the Rolls Royce presents in extraordinary condition, given its age. Anyone with experience undertaking these kind of projects will see this Silver Dawn looking to its fullest in no time at all.

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’.