Rolls-Royce 20hp Mulliner Saloon

AMENDMENT: The trim on this car is leather, not vinyl as stated in the catalogue. It comes with many tools and spares. One of the lower side valances is also present.

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 3.1-litre 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. The rolling chassis cost £1,100 to which the owner would fit a body of his choice from one of the many noted coachbuilders of the day.

This particular car dates from April 1929 and is fitted with handsome six-light saloon coachwork by Arthur Mulliner of London and Northampton. According to some notes in the history file it was first owned by Captain A Havelock-Charles of London W1 (most probably the son of Sir Richard Havelock-Charles, 1st Baronet, who was surgeon to George V and lived in Manchester Square, W1). Several other owners are listed up until 1972 when the trail goes cold.

The current vendor acquired the car in 1995 and has used it regularly but sparingly, nine old MOTs showing that it has only covered some 2,000 miles since 1998. Appearing to be in very smart condition throughout, it has clearly been restored at some point with glossy paintwork and a very pleasant interior trimmed in good quality red vinyl.

Mechanically the car is said to be in excellent health and to drive very well with notably light steering for a 20hp, good brakes, a smooth gearbox and correct engine temperature at all times. The engine certainly looks very clean and tidy and the car fired up promptly and ran beautifully as we manoeuvred it to take these pictures.

Taxed until January 2014 and due to have a fresh MOT before the sale, this stately old motorcar is ready for immediate use.