1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn H.J. Mulliner Drophead Coupé (coachwork no. 7297)
- Engine
- 4.6L F-head inline-six with Zenith downdraft carburetor, ~150 bhp
- Colour
- Silver
A unique 1953 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn bearing H.J. Mulliner body style 7297, one of only 64 Silver Dawns to receive bespoke coachwork and the sole example of this particular design. Commissioned by American attorney and Texaco executive Howard W. Kizer, its sporting lines feature a raked split windscreen and deeply curved front fenders. Following several ownership changes, it received a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration around 2003 and subsequently won a first prize at the 2005 Rolls-Royce Owners Club concours.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$451,000
- 1953-06-01 → 1959Factory deliveryHoward W. Kizerfull documentation
Attorney and fleet executive for Texaco based in Montclair, New Jersey; commissioned the bespoke coachwork and specified numerous custom features; car delivered via New York dealer J.S. Inskip.
- 1959 →Acquisition unknownLeonard J. Wehrlepartial documentation
Resident of Hackensack, New Jersey; precise end date of ownership not stated in the prose.
- 1970 → 1971Private saleHoward W. Kizerpartial documentation
Kizer reacquired his former car, by this time residing at a retirement property in Arizona; the repurchase is noted in Rolls-Royce Foundation documentation.
- 1971 → 1982Private saleL. Wayne Bealpartial documentation
Based in Phoenix, Arizona.
- 1982 → 2003Private saleAlbert Milsteinpartial documentation
Chicago-based owner; car remained in largely original and sound condition throughout this period.
- 2003 →Private saleGene Epsteinpartial documentation
Long-standing Rolls-Royce and Bentley collector from Newtown, Pennsylvania; commissioned a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration to concours standard, finished in silver with red leather interior.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSmith Collectionpartial documentation
Florida-based collector; used the car occasionally on local roads; restoration remained well-preserved during this ownership.
Competition
- 2005Rolls-Royce Owners Club concours programme2005 RROC Concours1st Prize
Car entered following completion of its full restoration under Gene Epstein's ownership.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003Restoration
Full nut-and-bolt rebuild commissioned by Gene Epstein to a high concours standard, finished in silver with red leather interior, pleated seat backs, flat cushions, and red carpets with mouton overlays. Exhaust manifolds were porcelainised as a cosmetic enhancement. Modern air conditioning was discreetly added as the principal deviation from original specification.
Original components including the medium-wave radio, Lucas auxiliary lamps, and G.E. headlamps were retained. Completed accessories include period hand and road tools, a wicker picnic hamper, and other touring items.
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