1954 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn ‘Big Boot’ Automatic Saloon SOG68

An extremely smart, sharp and lovely example of the 4½ litre Silver Dawn, very nicely finished in black, with Ivory leather, all in excellent condition, accompanied by excellent headlining, superb woodwork.  A fresh set of newly made carpets in beige, with binding to match the leather are currently being made which will further enhance the interior. Externally lovely too, with high grade paintwork, excellent chrome, and sharp panel lines, door fit, etc.  Unusually, and very positively, the car is fitted with electric power steering, and Avon radial tyres of very suitable size, which suit the car well. Both of these features are upgrades which we are strongly in favour of, making the driving experience all the easier and more enjoyable. The boot contains a correct set of ‘large tools’ in their clips, and there is an impressive set of small tools, in the tray under the driver’s seat.  In the region of £88,000, all documented with invoices from specialists, has been spent on the car in recent times, ensuring that it really is one of the best! Driving nicely, performing well & freshly MoT’d.

See us at Beaulieu Autojumble Stand R389  -  11th to 13th Sept 2026.

Chassis No.  SOG68                      Reg. No.  FSK 963                          £39,500

Snippets: The Left Handed Baseball Player

The first owner was Luigi Comi – this gentleman was either a stockbroker from Milan, Italy & the mentor of Umberto Maiocchi who in turn became one of Italy’s most famous international financiers, a pioneer in the European Eurobond & director of Banca Indosuez; or he was an estate agent!!

From 1960 to 1978 the car was back in the UK with the firm of R M Birds, distributors of wine & fine spirits in Stratford on Avon.

In 1978 the Silver Dawn was exported to America & registered to Vic Wertz Distribution of Mt Clemens in Michigan.  Vic Wertz (1925/83) was a major league Baseball player (left-handed) who during his career of 17 seasons played for Detroit Tigers, St Louis Browns, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox & the Minnesota Twins.  During WWII Vic Wertz enlisted in the Army with the 81st Division (June 1942 / Dec 1943), his posting was to the Pacific where apparently, he saw little action but managed to get in some games at his postings!  After WWII he worked in the beer distribution business & was a spokesman for the brewers of National Bohemian Beer & Colt45, he started his own company - Vic Wertz Distributorship in 1955 & this became a multi-million Dollar operation.  By the time of his death in 1983 he had 45 delivery trucks sending Miller Beer throughout the Detroit area.  His widow Lucille took over as President of Vic Wertz Distribution until her death in 1989.