1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn ‘Big Bore, Small Boot’ Saloon SHD20

A rare, 4½ litre, small boot model, one of few constructed in this desirable configuration. Built to export specification & delivered new to Kenya, before going to the Belgian Congo in 1958. By 1978, the car was in North Carolina and returned to the UK in 1983. It’s early life in kind climates no doubt led to structural preservation from which the car still benefits to this day. Nicely finished in sand over sable, with twin red pinstripes to the waistline, which harmonise nicely with the lovely interior of red leather, carpets & over rugs, and fresh-looking headlining, all in excellent condition. Clean, smart, attractive and running nicely, with a good selection of correct, original tools.  The car is offered serviced, fitted with a new set of five very well-suited, properly-sized radial tyres and tubes and newly MoT tested.


Chassis No. SHD20                 Reg No. 115 RNM            

Snippets: African & Airborne Antics 

In 1952 the Silver Dawn was shipped to Mombasa on the SS Kenya for Alexander Lovewell Christie (1907/1991) – the family lived on the Nanga Estate in the Rift Valley, Kenya. During WWII, Alexander served in the Royal Naval Reserve as a Temporary Paymaster Lieutenant. That same year as taking delivery of the Silver Dawn, Alexander Christie as appointed to the Nairobi County Education Board, a position which lasted until 1959.  

In 1958 the Silver Dawn had been sold to Jack Mat Wilson Poelaert an English architect who in 1947 constructed the main building on the site of what is now Maison St Benoit, a small Benedictine nunnery, overlooking Lake Kivu.  In 1959 this became home of Aloys Bigirumwami – the first African to be appointed Bishop of the Belgium colonies.  In the book “Land of a Thousand Hills”, Rosamond Carr describes Jack Poelaert thus: Jack Poelaert droves a 1922 Rolls-Royce and lived with his mother and a domesticated golden monkey in a spectacular house surround by fragrant citrus groves”.  The 1922 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost is mentioned elsewhere as Poelaert being a shared owner alongside Jack Rubens – the mystery thickens!!  By the 1960s’ Jack Poelaert had left Rwanda and relocated to Uganda, this was partly due to his political views at the time.

During the 1970s the Silver Dawn was in North Caroline with Henry Welfare Jr, during WWII he had piloted B17 the Flying Fortress and was president of the 305th Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force, they were the most-decorated USAAF heavy-bombardment groups in the European Theatre - their motto was “Can Do”. 

The 2nd American owner was William Fank Helms Jr. of Monroe.  His business enterprises included College Shoppe (men’s clothiers) & Frank’s Ltd which was also a gentleman’s out-fitters.  In Weddington he was the proprietor of Endless Endeavours from which he sold & bought vintage cars internationally, he also owned various real estate!!