Rolls-Royce 20

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 New 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.

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.

The original owner of this car purchased the chassis through George Heath Motors Ltd in Birmingham and chose lcoal coachbuilders Flewitt to complete the car. They kept it until 1935 when it was sold to London.  It went through Jack Barclay's hands a few times before ending up in America. By 2010 it had returned to the UK where it was entrusted to marque experts Ben Smith Engineering based in the South West for restoration. Work commenced, stripping the car and repairing the modified rear of the body which has been returned to its original design.

Alas work ceased when the payments for the work done came to a halt. After much delay, the company’s solicitor has finally given the go-ahead for the project to be sold in order to cover some of the amount outstanding.

Believed to be substantially complete, the photographs show that it is in a fully dismantled state, the vendor wishing to point out that the two trailers shown in the pictures are not included in the sale. Bidders are also advised that it is a condition of sale that the car must be removed by 11th December otherwise storage charges will apply.

Due to the dismantled state of the vehicle, it will NOT be delivered to Brightwells Leominster facility for the auction, but is available to view, by appointment, where it resides in Chulmleigh in Devon. If you wish to view the car, please call the Classic Car Department 01568 611122 for more details.