Aston Martin 15/98 & Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn - the cars that got away

By: Cliff Chambers, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 02.01.2017

Rolls-Royce SIlver Dawn

Aston Martin 15/98

Rolls-Royce SIlver Dawn

Aston Martin 15/98

Should you have bought these Brit Bruisers when you had the chance? Look what we found in our old classifieds...

These Aston Martins are now very rare and on the collector radar.

Aston Martin 15/98 Saloon - advertised Feb 1990

You would think if just five of a particular model exist, especially of an attractive-looking object like this Aston Martin, that the cost of owning a survivor would be astronomical.

Apparently not. Followers of the brand say that that production of the four-door Aston totalled 50 cars and such a low survival rate might point towards some cannibalisation to preserve the Speed and Tourer versions which can sell for over $350,000.

Just when another 15/98 saloon will appear in the market is anyones guess, so until then an estimate of value is the best we can do.

Then $49,500 Now $145-175,000

Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn - advertised Mar 1985

Badge engineering was an art form among Brit manufacturers and not even the cream of car-makers was immune.

When export earnings beckoned, Rolls-Royce didn't quibble about transplanting its famous grille onto a Mark 6 Bentley chassis and sending most of the resultant Silver Dawns to the USA.

More than 100 fortunate owners in Australia also acquired a Dawn; early RHD cars identified by the manual gearlever alongside the driver door.

These cars for some time avoided collector attention and cheap ones still exist, however the best exceed $100,000.

Then $18,500 Now $65-70,000