1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe Price, Specs, Features, and Review

With its sleek lines, classic styling, and unparalleled performance, the Rolls-Royce Silver Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe continues to captivate the hearts and minds of car enthusiasts everywhere and is a true testament to the enduring legacy of this legendary brand.

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1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe History, Production, and Rarity?

The Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn was originally a fullsize 4-door saloon/sedan. It was produced from 1949 to 1955. As per reports, only 760 units of the Silver Dawn were made. However, out of 760 just over 60 examples had custom body styles such as limousines, drop-head coupes, and others. Hence, to this date, the Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe remains one of the rarest Rolls-Royce.

That said, these unique body styles were made by famous coachbuilders like H.J. Mulliner, Pininfarina and Saoutchik, and more. That is why, the Silver Dawns were famous for their bespoke coachwork. Furthermore, the Silver Dawn’s predecessor was the Rolls-Royce Wraith whereas its successor was Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud.

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1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe old and current price?

The 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn had an original price tag of £4,700. However, its current estimated average value is $22,643. Additionally, the average price of the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn across the production years is $44,637. Meanwhile, the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe is far more expensive due to its limited number production.

In a 2017 auction organized by Rmsothebys, the 1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe by H.J. Mulliner was sold for a whopping $451,000 USD. Furthermore, in another Rmsothebys, the 1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe by Park Ward received a final bid of $352,000 USD.

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1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe design and similarities with the Bentley MK VI?

The Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn was introduced along with the Bentley MK VI. Both models were low-priced and had steel bodies. The Silver Dawn had 12.25-inch drum brakes, front coil spring independent suspension, and rear half elliptic leaf spring suspension. Furthermore, the 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe had a foldable convertible top

That said, the Bentley MK VI and Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn did have some visual changes inside and outside. The early models of the Silver Dawn had a single exhaust system and a different dashboard layout compared to the MK VI. However, later models adopted a twin exhaust system and Bentley-style fascia which was found in the 1952 Type-R which succeeded the old MK VI.

The interior of the Silver Dawn was not as impressive or rather a quirky one. One of the reasons cited is that after the Second World War, Rolls-Royce had to keep the brand alive through high production and affordable models. Hence, it launched the Silver Dawn and MK VI. It is partly the reason that there were no seatbelts in the cabin. Lastly, the chrome starter button was used to start the engine.

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1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupe and its engines?

The early models of the Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead were powered by a 4.2L Inline-6 engine which was attached to a 4-speed manual transmission. In 1951, Rolls-Royce decided to upgrade the powertrain. Now all the models had a 4.6L Inline-6 engine under the hood. Moreover, an optional 4-speed automatic transmission was introduced in 1952. As per some estimates, the 4.6L Inline-4 engine made 150 horsepower and it pushed the Silver Dawn Drophead up to a top speed of 100 MPH.

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Final Thoughts

Classic car collectors and enthusiasts still hold the Rolls-Royce Dawn Drophead Coupe in high regard due to its timeless design, exceptional craftsmanship, and unmatched performance. As a full-size car, it embodies the pinnacle of luxury, elegance, and class that is synonymous with Rolls Royce. This vehicle remains highly sought-after, coveted by those who appreciate its superior quality and exquisite styling.