1997 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn

This motor car is being sold as part of an overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to import duty and VAT if the car is to remain in the UK. As this car is less than 30 years old there will be duty of £50 +VAT plus import VAT of 20% added to on the final selling price. For example, if the car sells for £7,000, then £60 duty and £1,400 VAT is added, making the total amount payable of £8,460. If buying the car in a company name the duty rate for this car will be 10% (+VAT).

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable.

Lastly, there will be a nominal administration fee of £250 for processing the NOVA application, and payable direct to the shipping company. A completed and processed NOVA will provide you formal proof that all duties and taxes are paid in UK and thus allow you to register the vehicle with the DVLA

In common with the majority of cars in this collection, this vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section.

It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for view and inspection at our HQ near Abingdon and we will be delighted to show the car to you and/or your appointed engineer.

This 1997 LHD Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn comes to us with no service or ownership history.

We know that it was bought for the vendor’s static display collection in 2012/13.

And we know from the accompanying handbook that the paintwork is Ocean Mica and the upholstery Parchment hide with Spruce piping.

Today, the odometer reads 47,701 km.

We have been able to start the car, and it'll idle okay however, as it’s been stored for a long time we only ran it for a few seconds as fresh fluid etc. would be best added and perhaps a full service too. It probably could use a new battery too.

Aesthetically and cosmetically, the car is in exceptional all-round condition – outside, inside and underneath – and should need little recommissioning to restore its former grandeur and bring it back to life.

Provided, of course, that the engine and mechanicals are as good as the rest of it.

The Ocean Mica paintwork is very good all-round. This looks like a car that has been well protected from the elements throughout its life.

There are no dinks, dents or dimples to speak of anywhere on the bodywork, save for a small indentation on the n/s/r door.

The shut lines are tight, consistent and even. The doors close with all the weight and authority you’d expect to find in a hand-built Rolls-Royce.

The exterior trim appears to be all present, correct and in decent nick. The badging, lights and lenses are good all round.

The chrome work is bright, shiny and untroubled by tarnishing, foxing or pitting. The wheels look to be in good condition, too.

Even stone chips are largely notable by their absence, with just a few visible in the usual places below the front bumper and sills.

There is no bubbling or corrosion visible anywhere that we can see.

The interior is a testament to the rare skills and workmanship of the leather, carpet and walnut whisperers of Crewe.

It is a uniquely luxurious and tasteful cross between a London gentleman’s club and a particularly fine drawing room in one of the National Trust’s more impressive stately homes.

It’s both sumptuously indulgent and classily understated in a way that only Rolls-Royces (and Bentleys) of a certain vintage seem able to manage.

The Parchment hide seats at the front are both supportive and supremely comfortable.

It’s no surprise that Rolls-Royce car seats were supplied for Captains on the bridge of Royal Navy aircraft carriers.

The leather upholstery in the rear is equally impressive and doesn’t look as if it has been overly troubled by the presence of any passengers.

The carpets are pretty good throughout and are, in fact, protected by transparent plastic covers in the rear. The beige coloured mats on top of the covers have a few marks, but we think they’re of the sort that would quickly back down if threatened with a damp cloth.

The lambswool rugs in the front are a little faded and could probably do with a clean but they’re in good nick and are still deep enough for you to lose your feet in them.

The headlining is fine, as are the door cards.

The gloriously rich and glossy burr walnut veneers on the dashboard, centre console and doors are in fine condition.

The capacious boot is also in very fine fettle. Lifting up the carpets here or elsewhere on this car reveals only an entirely standard superficial bloom of rust dust here and there, but absolutely nothing to raise an eyebrow.

In general, the undersides seem to be well preserved, undamaged and structurally sound. Everything looks solid and honest.

We’ve seen nothing more than an entirely standard bloom of superficial rust dust anywhere.

We don’t know where the car has been for most of its life, but we’re willing to bet it’s never lived in a country where people routinely chuck salt all over the roads.

The engine bay is clean and dry, with everything in its right and proper place.

We have no service history for the car.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor a V5.

If you’d like to inspect the car prior to placing a bid – something we would encourage – then please use the Contact Seller button to arrange an appointment.

As with the other cars in this collection we can’t say anything about the car’s history, its mechanical functionality, or how it drives and handles.

We can only comment on what we see, which, in this instance, would appear to be a sound, solid, exceptionally well-preserved and relatively low mileage example of a rare 1997 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn.

Assuming that there’s only basic recommissioning required, this could well be a great deal of car for not a huge amount of money.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £7,000 - £10,000 plus Bonhams bond payment and £250 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; 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’.