・Full service history from Rolls-Royce specialists
The Background
There's only a handful of vehicles out there that can claim to be the peak of their particular class, but when it comes to luxury there is only one name anyone cares about: Rolls-Royce. Founded in 1904 by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, the company set out to build the best car in the world, and has been doing so ever since.
Starting after the Second World War, Rolls-Royce began manufacturing the first of its “Silver” line of cars. The Silver Wraith and Silver Dawn, strongly resembling the pre-war Wraith and Phantom, were the first of the line, before the Silver Shadow brought unibody construction to the brand for the first time.
When Rolls-Royce passed into the hands of Vickers in 1980, the Silver Spirit succeeded the Shadow to become the company's core luxury machine. Produced over four generations from 1980 to 1997, the Spirit was available in two styles, with the long-wheelbase Silver Spur joining the standard model.
The Silver Dawn, as you see here, was a late production model of the Silver Spur III – with Rolls-Royce already building the fourth-generation cars – with more options than the regular car.
This Silver Dawn first arrived on the UK's roads in August 1996, making it a 1997 model year car – 1995 and 1996 MY examples only went to the US market. It was actually one of just 79 right-hand drive cars made for that year, out of a total of only 87.
Judging by the stamps in its service book, the Dawn spent more than a decade with its first owner, with services up to 2014 carried out by Essex-based specialists P&A Wood and Gerald Capps, and MOTs to 2008 in the same region. Further stamps indicate a couple of ownership changes since then, before ending up at London's Hanwells, another specialist Rolls-Royce and Bentley dealer.
That's where the current owner spotted the car for sale earlier this year and fell for it. Although he's certainly enjoyed the car since then – heading back to London a couple of times from the north-east – he's decided to move the car on now the itch has been scratched!
There's a large paperwork folder for the Dawn covering maintenance and parts bill's dating back across much of the car's 25-year history. That includes older MOT certificates, from before the 2005 start of digitised records. There's also documentation from Hanwells, including a note that the head gasket and radiator were replaced under warranty in March, along with recent suspension work.
In addition there's a fully stamped service record, right from the first 1,000-mile service in October 1996 to the most recent at 52,000 miles in January 2021. That comes along with a vehicle handbook in its original Silver Dawn case, still in as-new condition.
Being based on the long-wheelbase Silver Spur, the Silver Dawn's interior is suitably vast, and based around blue and cream, and chrome and walnut.
There's just four seats in the cabin; with comfort as the ultimate goal, the two rear seat passengers shouldn't ever be forced to squeeze up to make room for a third. That means just the two seats, with a large gap – or a large armrest – between them.
All four are trimmed in cream leather with French Navy piping to match the carpets, and there doesn't appear to be a mark anywhere on them. That cream leather extends around almost all of the car, with both door cards and the dash trim all in the same colour – save for the upper surface of the dash, which is in French Navy again.
As with the seats, the plush blue carpets are in great condition too, even on the rear seat foot rests and the lower door cards. What isn't blue or cream is walnut; there's walnut on almost every flat surface, from the doors to the dash, the centre console and even the rear seat console. You'll even find two walnut-surround vanity mirrors on the C-pillars.
Many of the controls feature chrome in some way, particularly the air vents with organ-stop switches. Most of the dials and switches you'll interact with regularly – electric windows, seat controls, climate, and stereo - are more hard-wearing plastic, but all seem to have stood the test of time.
The Dawn also features an absolutely enormous boot, and behind the rear panel there's two drawers which contain original tool kits in new condition.
There's no hiding the Silver Dawn's size – it's more than 17.5 feet (5.3 metres) long, thanks to the extra in the wheelbase – and that means there's a lot of exterior.
It's finished in Peacock Blue, save for a few dabs of chrome and a pinstripe – and of course that famous Rolls-Royce grille – and it's in great condition. We can't find any obvious dents, chips, or scrapes anywhere on the paintwork, and there's nothing to suggest any issues lurking.
Of course the big, chrome grille and the Spirit of Ecstasy are pretty much the centrepiece of the whole exterior, and these both gleam just as they ought – though some of the plating on the flying lady has worn a little, it gives a distinctive pattern. Again, we can't find even a hint of a stone ding on there, so the classic Rolls-Royce look is wholly intact.
The wheels are largely in good condition, with some weathering on the wheel nut covers on three of the four. It doesn't affect the wheels themselves, which are unmarked.
Underneath, the Dawn is in better condition than you might expect of a car coming up on 25 years old. It's clearly seen some road miles and hasn't been a garage queen, but by the same token there's nothing of any obvious concern.
A Rolls-Royce is all about whisper-quiet comfort – no fuss, no drama, just a smooth ride along the road with sufficient power. Our Dawn exhibits this all in spades.
The big 6.75-litre V8 fires up without a fuss and quickly idles so quietly you need to smell it to make sure it's ticking over. Static revs on a Rolls-Royce seem uncouth, but it gains and loses them without any drama either.
In motion it's just as serene. About the only sounds it makes are from the air rushing in to fill the space behind it. Suspension, brakes, and the automatic gearbox all just get on with their jobs, and the current owner notes it's simply wonderful to waft down a motorway.
All Rolls-Royce cars have the same general pull. They're simply the most comfortable and luxurious way to get from one place to another, whether you're behind the wheel or sitting in the back seats, compared to any of their peers. With the Silver Dawn you also get one of the last cars ever built in the brand's original north-west home (specifically Crewe), and one of only 79 of this type made.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn
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