Rolls-Royce 20hp Barrel-sided Tourer

Built between 1922 and 1929, the Twenty was Rolls-Royce's 'small car' for the 1920s and was produced alongside the 40/50 Silver Ghost and the Phantom. The Twenty's introduction enabled the company to cater for the increasingly important owner-driver market that appreciated the quality of Rolls-Royce engineering but did not need a car as large as a Ghost or Phantom. The car proved eminently suited to town use, yet could cope admirably with Continental touring when called upon, with a top speed of 60mph.

An all new 3,127cc in-line six-cylinder overhead valve engine was designed for the car, the cylinders being cast in one block with a detachable cylinder head. Both coil and magneto ignition were fitted. The early cars had three-speed gearboxes with the change lever in the centre, but in 1925 this was replaced by a four-speed unit with traditional right hand change. A torque tube was used to transmit the power to the rear axle. The substantial chassis had rigid front and rear axles suspended by half elliptic springs, with braking initially only on the rear wheels. Four-wheel brakes with mechanical servo were introduced in 1925.

First registered in December 1923, this particular Twenty originally sported Connaught Landaulet six-seater coachwork and was built to order for first owner Charles Wright of Market Rasen, as copies of the original and highly detailed build sheets confirm. An old buff log book reveals that during the war the car was converted into a lorry before being rebodied in the current Barker-style barrel-sided tourer in the 1960s. This most attractive bodywork has been exceptionally well made and the doors all close with a reassuring click.

The current registered keeper acquired the car in 1998 and had it painted white to use as a wedding car, a role which it appears to have carried out for around four years before being repainted green about nine years ago. The car is said to be in excellent running order and certainly went well and sounded very smooth when we were treated to a short test drive on the occasion of our visit to take these photographs.

Old MOTs going back to 1993 indicate that the car has covered some 12,500 miles since then, although it was laid up between 2002 and 2008. The green leather interior is nicely patinated with embossed RR door cards and features an Auster screen to protect the rear seat passengers, beneath which is a hinged cocktail cabinet for those essential on-the-road refreshments! The canvas hood is in excellent condition, as is the wood and metal hood frame. On the button and ready to go, this lovely old motorcar has an MOT valid until January 2012.