1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Automatic Saloon SRH28

A correct and very sound example of a rare car. being one of only 762 Silver Dawns built in total. of all configurations. Very importantly. the car is in very sound condition. not suffering from any of the 'usual' rust issues. with an excellent chassis and underside. as well as a very good body and high quality paint finish. albeit with a few marks and scratches. The engine runs well and the car drives nicely. we have carried out a light re-commissioning and service. and the car is Mo T tested until November 2014.

Chassis No. SRH 28.

Reg No. OYT 124.

£36. 00.

Snippets:

The first owner was a London solicitor by the name of Charles Victor Jacobs in 1938 he was an executor for the estate of Lady Evelyn Marie Tempest. who died suddenly whilst in Australia with her daughter Hilary. within 24 hours of Lady Tempest's death Miss Tempest being “delicate” took her own life. Lady Tempest was the widow of Sir Percy Crosland Tempest. an engineer who in the 1920 s designed a Channel Tunnel crossing which was then was estimated to cost £29. 00. 00 and to take 4 ½ years to complete.

The chassis cards show that in 1965 SRH 28 is with H. D. S. Marshall C/o Mrs Del Rivo Lt Cdr H. D. S. Marshall was the British Liaison Officer on the American Vessel “SS Almeria Lykes” which took part in “Operation Pedestal” delivering much needed supplies to Malta in 1942 during WWII. We are unsure as to his relationship with the Del Rivo family who are a staunch Catholic family descended from Daniel O'Connell (1775/1847) “The Liberator” an 18 th century Irish political leader who campaigned for Catholic Emancipation. including the right for Catholics to sit in Westminster Parliament & the repeal of the Act of Union.

His sons – Maurice. John. Morgan & Daniel Jnr also became MPs.

In 1900 Mary Kathleen (The Liberator's grand-daughter) married Guilio Del Rivo (1872/1946) – upon their marriage they received a telegram from The Vatican! Guilio's true Italian parentage has been the matter of great speculation which has yet to be resolved! By 1982 SRH 28 was in America under the ownership of Thomas Mellon Evans (1910/97) a corporate raider who some say was the basis for the character Gordon Gecko played by Michael Douglas in the film Wall Street.

Thomas Evans was an enthusiast of Racehorse breeding & racing – his winners included Pleasant Colony. Pleasant Stage & Pleasant Tap.

In 2013 after the death of Betty Evans (3 rd wife) their home in the River House building came on the market for $25 million. this stunning apartment has 4 fireplaces. a Billy Baldwin designed library. fur storage & an original silver safe.

The River House was designed in 1931 by William Bottomley – 11 of his commissions are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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