The sun rises on Rolls-Royce’s new drophead convertible, dubbed ‘Dawn’

By Nick Jaynes May 12, 2015

1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn — 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hold onto your monocle, they’ve just named a new Rolls-Royce.

With a puff of white smoke from the chimney (I assume), Rolls-Royce announced today to a group of its dealers that it will call its next drophead model ‘Dawn.’ Oh, and, drophead, if you’re not up to snuff on Briticisms, is Rolls for convertible.

1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn — 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Image used with permission by copyright holder

Aside from being the tingliest time of the day, if Rolls’ press release is to be believed, the name means much more than morning time. The moniker was first applied to a very select few Rollers starting in 1949.

In fact, Rolls-Royce christened only 28 drophead bodies ‘Dawn’ in total between 1950 and 1954. Adding further significance to the name, the original Silver Dawn was the first Roller to receive a factory-built body.

Even if you’re not the Sultan of Brunei, the CEO of Go-Pro, or a Kardashian, this should still be very exciting news. Even if you never get to drive the Dawn, you should be quite jazzed, for no other automaker can quite do a ‘vert like Rolls. After all, the current Phantom Drophead features a yacht-like teak rear decking, which can bring grown men to tears.

1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn — 1949 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’re wanting more info on the Dawn, you’ll have to wait with bated breath with the rest of us, because Rolls isn’t giving up the beans … yet. All it has revealed is that the model will launch during the first quarter of next year.

Until then, we’re left with speculation. Luckily for you, I am a speculation mastermind, which might explain my being woefully single. But I digress.

The 2017 Rolls-Royce dawn will likely be underpinned by the Wraith platform, essentially making it a Wraith Drophead … why Rolls didn’t go with that, I don’t know. And, like the Wraith, the Dawn will likely be powered by a V12 and have more cushiony cowhide than Texas.

We’ll be keeping our eyes peeled on the horizon. As soon as we see even the slightest hint of the Dawn, we’ll be sure to bring it to you. So check back often.

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Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

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