Here’s something you don’t stumble across every day—a genuine “barn find” from the modern luxury era. This 1996 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn has just 9,000 original miles on the odometer and is being offered with the magic words: “make offer or trade.” You’ll find it here on Facebook Marketplace out of Tacoma, WA.
Despite its high-dollar roots, this Silver Dawn has spent recent years in what appears to be dusty hibernation. The exterior is black, and photos show a thin layer of grime on the body and dirt and leaves in the engine bay, nothing a careful detail and deep clean wouldn’t fix. There’s no sign of damage or rust, just the usual symptoms of long-term storage.
Inside, the car appears complete, and although no detailed cabin photos were shared, Rolls-Royce interiors of this era were known for hand-stitched leather, thick carpets, and burled walnut trim. If this one follows that pattern, it could be a time capsule once cleaned up. The seller notes the car has an automatic transmission, which would be expected, and mentions it is still wearing its factory-original mileage—just 9,000 miles from new.
Originally based on the Silver Spirit platform, the Silver Dawn added a few bespoke touches, including a more understated appearance and limited production numbers. Under the hood is a 6.75-liter V8 that emphasizes smoothness over outright speed, which is exactly what Rolls-Royce buyers of the day expected.
This isn’t your average barn find, but for someone interested in a modern classic luxury car with an air of mystery and very little wear, it’s certainly intriguing. The asking price is $100,000, though the seller is open to offers and trades, so there may be room to negotiate.
Do you think this Silver Dawn is a hidden gem worth reviving, or does it need too much polish to shine again?
As tempting as it may seem these use a lot of mineral oils for the suspension and given how long it has been sitting for, and if an animal has chewed any wires or how dried out any rubber components are this is a total pass unless you have a big wallet to bring it back into life.
Silver Dawns were built near the end of the SZ Series, and are basically a Silver Spur. They are “rare” mainly because they did not sell very well. As someone that has revived multiple SY and SZ cars (including a Silver Spur) from long-term storage, I can guarantee this one is a total money-pit.
In over 50 years of classic car ownership I can tell you that neglected low-mileage cars (especially Rollers) often need far more repair$ than a well-maintained high mileage car.
Really nice Silver Dawns are currently bringing around $30K, if a buyer can be found. Over the past year some have been unsold through reputable auctions.
If you bought this one for $10K or $15K and had it fully serviced, you would be likely be upside down.
By the rear wheel is a set of boots- probably from a buyer who jumped out of them when the guy asked 100K.
By the rear wheel is a pair of boots- probably from a buyer who jumped out of them when the guy asked 100K.
What happened to all the Rolls that the conman spiritual dude bhagwan Rajneesh?? I think he had over a hundred, could this be one? Roughly same part of the country……
You must be as old as dirt (like me) to remember that guy. He also lived in Australia for a while so we no doubt also have a few of his old luxury rides around. My best friend at high school’s father had a similar beard back in the 70s. No doubt you can guess what his nickname was.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
On a more serious aside for someone asking 100K for a car at least haul it out of the barn and hose it off
Also, I would love to know the backstory on this. I’m always curious about low mileage cars like this parked for years and forgotten. I always sense a sadness about them.
I agree with Kim in Lanark at least clean it and give more info about why it was parked with those low miles.
I could not agree more with Cam W, not a sought after car by any stretch, not a very pretty style, and sitting for as long as it has will cost a fortune to actually drive it. $100K?? Put it back in its time capsule and forget about it for another 40 years……….
Being in the Pacific NW, this could be one of the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh cars.
Could very well be – the Bhagwan had 93 RRs, many of which had elaborate custom paint-jobs. And 2,000 Rolex watches! All of that donated to him as offerings by his soft-headed hippie adherents.
Better hurry, listed a year ago.
At $100k, this ad will be up for a very long time. Even at $8-10k you would be better off buying the nicest running example that you can find.
Run Forest, run as fast as you can! $100k, the seller is dreaming as knowing Rolls Royce motor cars as a classic car dealer I know a little about how much this car can cost to make it roadworthy again. I had a seller bring me a Shadow 2 for sale but it had a slight “tick” coming from the engine so I told him that before I could put it on the floor he would have to get it sorted by the agent. This he did but it cost him $2000 by doing it himself and this was over 20 years ago, as he had a motor engineering workshop. Looking at the car as it is I would say there is a LOT more cash to be spent on this car just to get it to run and stop!
$100 grand? is he kidding? that’s a $40,000 car all day long. I am constantly looking at these boats on ebay.
As with most ‘barn finds’ today, everyone ( well most anyway) thinks they have gold when in reality most are tin with a bit of gold leaf! The internet brought out the reality of what is really out there and thus most people ‘think’ they have something special….. The trained eyes know and the others are ‘wannabes!’ The big question I would want to ask about this car (not that I am interested) is: Why was a car of this marque driven so little and then put away ‘wet’? My goodness, At least wash it, polish it and take some good pictures not in a crappy, dank garage space!!! Yikes!!!
PS to Kim in Lanark! I just read your comment after I posted mine. I guess many of us see this the same way! Did anyone notice the drip stain on the front DS fender? That car has been sitting for a long time!!
I will take the car for $50. That way I will only be upside down $10,000 when I get it usable. And that is using my own labor!
I am hoping that this is an intentional Facebook joke. In that case – LOL!
If it is a serious sale, then I feel bad for the clueless buffoon who is selling it.
$100,000?? What is this guy smokin?? I honestly thought that was a typo when I read the price.
Even $10,000 is too much!