1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupé by Park Ward
- Engine
- 4.3L OHV inline-six, single Zenith carburetor, ~150 bhp (est.)
- Colour
- Two-tone green with gold pinstripes
A 1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Drophead Coupé with Park Ward coachwork to design number 322, this left-hand-drive example is one of only six produced to this specification. Ordered new by R.D. Onan of Minneapolis for the American market, it was substantially restored by Hibernia Auto Restorations in New Jersey by 1985 and subsequently displayed at Monterey during car week. The car has been in static storage for approximately sixteen years under its current owner.
Ownership
- 2023-03-02Auction saleSold US$165,000
- 1952-08-01 →Factory deliveryR.D. Onanpartial documentation
Minneapolis-based executive at the family generator manufacturing firm D.W. Onan & Sons; ordered the car in triple blue trim with numerous American-market extras. No documented history survives after his acquisition until a 1985 restoration plate.
- → 1995Eric Lorentzenpartial documentation
Arizona-based owner during whose tenure the car was exhibited at Monterey car week; the drophead was pictured in the October 1991 issue of the Rolls-Royce Owners' Club of Australia journal.
- 1995 → 2007-05-01Private saleDr. Adolph Lombardipartial documentation
Columbus, Ohio owner who maintained the car conscientiously for about twelve years through a local specialist workshop; invoice copies corroborate regular upkeep during his stewardship.
- 2007-05-01 →Private saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Car has been kept in static display for roughly sixteen years; a Sony head unit, modern generator, and air-conditioning compressor were added at some point during this period.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1985RestorationHibernia Auto Restorations Inc
A comprehensive restoration was carried out, evidenced by a firewall plate bearing the restorer's name and date.
Workshop located in Hibernia, New Jersey, noted for high-quality work.
- —ServiceSpecialty Sports Cars
Regular maintenance performed on a recurring basis during the Lombardi ownership period.
Columbus, Ohio shop; copies of invoices reportedly on file covering the period 1995–2007.
- —Modification
Aftermarket Sony head unit, a modern generator, and a replacement air-conditioning compressor were fitted at some undocumented point.
These additions post-date the 1985 restoration and were present at the time of cataloguing.
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