Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Chassis Info
The chassis number for these models is composed of an initial fixed letter "S", followed by a second letter up to "V". The third letter determines the series of the model. It ends with a number from 1-160.
An "L" in front of the chassis number indicates the model is Long Wheelbase (LWB).
The chassis number can typically be found on the firewall.
| Release Date | Chassis Number | Modification Detail | Introduced at Chassis: |
| April 1949 - June 1950 | SBA2 to SBA138 | C&A cylinder head gasket | SBA16 |
| June 1950 - March 1951 | SCA1 to SCA63 | 3/8 in. dia. rear axle bolts | SBA16 |
| Modified S.S. tube socket (LSBA76) | SBA16 | ||
| Modified X.S. tube socket (LSBA106) | SBA16 | ||
| One piece shackle bracket | SBA16 | ||
| Longer gear change lever |
SBA26 (not LSBA28) |
||
| Modified throttle return spring | LSBA28 | ||
| April 1949 - June 1950 | SBA2 to SW138 | Felt bush in steering col. gear change | LSBA44 |
| June 1950 - March 1951 | SCA1 to SCA63 | Modified R.S.D. plates | LSBA46 |
| Revesed linkage & rubber grommet in steering column gear change | LSBA76 | ||
| Rear shackle Bijur pipes revised | SBA140 | ||
| Modified carburetter | SBA128 (LSBA131) | ||
| Modified speedo and drive | SBA130 | ||
| 2nd mod. to rear spring plate | LSBA138 | ||
| Revised steering geometry | SCA1 | ||
| Anti-rumble front brakes | SCA1 | ||
| Thicker lipped brake drums | SCA1 | ||
| Modified rear No. plate box | SCA1 | ||
| Keyhole sockets on gear control | LSCA11 | ||
| Reduced speed fan | LSCA9 | ||
| One piece rear brake equ-lever | LSCA17 | ||
| Aluminium cam wheel | LSCA23 | ||
| 3 bush rear brake equ-support | SCA27 (LSCA23) | ||
| Modified starter solenoid switch | SCA27 | ||
| Low rate oil feed to clutch | SCA29 | ||
| Lower bush R.S.D. link deleted | SCA29 | ||
| 11” clutch (light type) SCA-27 | LSCA41 | ||
| Modified clutch spigot bearing | SCA45 | ||
| Closer fitting 2nd & 3rd speed bushes | LSCA51 | ||
| Longer bosses on R.S.D plates | LSCA51 | ||
| Triple Pass de-mister inter. scheme | LSCA53 | ||
| November 1950 - August 1951 | SDB2 to SDB140 | Thicker rear SD. plates | LSDB2 |
| Triple pass R.H de-mister (final) | LSDB6 | ||
| Modified water pump gland ring | SDB12 | ||
| New type ignition condenser | SDB40 | ||
| Side scuttle ventilators | SDB44 | ||
| Steel oil caps in crankshaft | LSDB58 | ||
| Heavy type clutch | SDB76 | ||
| JuIy 1951 - July 1952 | SFC2 to SFC160 | 3/8 in. bore engine | LSFC2 |
| Thickened crankshaft webs | LSFC2 | ||
| Full flow oil filter | LSFC2 | ||
| Insulated dynamo | SFC64 | ||
| Increased front damping | SFC92 | ||
| Twin condensers | SFC94 | ||
| 120° opening ventilator windows | SFC94 | ||
| Rear window de-mister | SFC94 | ||
| 3-position heater and de-mister switches | LSFC102 | ||
| Single choke Zenith carburetter | LSFC102 | ||
| Short dwell detent on 1st gear selector | SFC122 | ||
| March 1952 - September 1952 | SHD2 to SHD60 | Repositioned oil gauge connection on crankcase | LSHD6 |
| Stiffened clutch casing | SHD18 | ||
| Reversion to old type front wheel studs | LSHD56 | ||
| Mark II headlamps | LSHD56 | ||
| July 1952 - January 1953 | SKE2 to SKE50 | Revised luggage boot | SKE2 |
| November 1952 - May 1953 | SLE1 to SLE51 | Revised attitude rear springs | SKE2 |
| Redesigned rear shock damper linkage | SKE2 | ||
| Two speed windscreen wiper | SKE2 | ||
| Hot and cold de-mister | SKE2 | ||
| Reduced friction on steering connections | SKE2 | ||
| Needle rollers on clutch release fevers | SKE2 | ||
| Caster angle wedges | SKE2 | ||
| Deletion of hand throttle control | SKE2 | ||
| Pop-out cigar lighter | SKE2 | ||
| Separately housed main fuse | SKE2 | ||
| Solid pins and shield on servo | SKE2 | ||
| Corrugated bottom water hose connection | SKE10 | ||
| Taper roller bearings on rear axle pinion (except 12/41 axles) | SLE11 | ||
| 3 1/2 seconds slow leak on front shock dampers | SLE31 | ||
| December 1952 - September 1953 | SMF2 to SMF76 | Taper roller bearings on rear axle pinion (12 x41 axles) | SMF42 |
| July 1953 - February 1954 | SNF1 to SNF125 | Parco lubrized tappets | SME50 |
| 6.75 compression ratio cylinder head | SMF62 | ||
| B.VI camshaft (LH cars only) | SMF66 | ||
| Deletion of non-opposed springs in side steering tube | SMF70 | ||
| All welded frame | SNF1 | ||
| Cable operated hot and cold de-mIster and underseat heater | SNF1 | ||
| Hard clay gasket | SNF15 | ||
| Deletion of reduced friction modifications on steering connections | SNF27 | ||
| Improved type underseat tool tray | SNF109 | ||
| lntroduction of B.VI type gearbox tie rod | SNF113 | ||
| February 1954 - August 1954 | SOG2 to SOG100 | Fitting of inertia ring on flywheel | SOG86 |
| March 1954 - September 1954 | SPG1 to SPG101 | Dynamo type mounting strapon starter motor | SPG11 (RH) |
| Compensator pipe between front and rear servo | SPG37 | ||
| Thicker third motion shaft thrust washer | SPG37 | ||
| February 1954 - August 1954 | SRH2 to SRH100 | Twin exhaust system | SRH2 |
| August 1954 - October 1954 | STH1 to STH101 | 12/41 rear axle (all cars) | SRH2 |
| Strengthened jaws on front brake operating links | SRH4 | ||
| February 1954 - August 1954 | SRH2 to SRH100 | Elimination of chromium-plated servo pressure plate | SRH50 |
| August 1954 - October 1954 | STH1 to STH101 | Dynamo type mounting strap on starter motor | SRH72 (LH) |
| Aluminium flywheel housing | SRH72 | ||
| Long stroke starter pinion | STH57 | ||
| October 1954 - January 1955 | SUJ2 to SUJ130 | Bentley continental type de-misting | SUJ14 |
| November 1954 - April 1955 | SVJ1 to SVJ133 | 2nd speed start | SUJ50 |
| Ferodo washer and drain slots in crankshaft vibration damper | SVJ101 |
