Louis Frankel
Specialist
LOT 544
1928 Rolls-Royce 20hp Landaulette Coachwork by Barker Registration no. GW 6154 Chassis no. GKM27 Engine no. 53K
Sold for £31,333.34 inc. premium
Lot 544
1928 Rolls-Royce 20hp Landaulette
The Beaulieu Sale Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia|10 September 2022, 14:00 BST|Beaulieu, National Motor Museum
1928 Rolls-Royce 20hp Landaulette
Coachwork by Barker
Registration no. GW 6154
Chassis no. GKM27
Engine no. 53K
Coachwork by Barker
Registration no. GW 6154
Chassis no. GKM27
Engine no. 53K
• Delivered new to New Zealand
• Present ownership since 1976
• Recent ignition system, dynamo, and starter motor overhauls
Footnotes
"This model was introduced to meet requests for a smaller, less expensive car in keeping with the trend after the First World War towards smaller cars for a wider market. Construction was simplified - but standards of workmanship were not compromised." - Edward Eves, Rolls-Royce, 75 Years of Motoring Excellence.
Changing times after WWI eventually forced the abandonment of Rolls-Royce's 'one model' policy, an all-new 20hp car joining the existing 40/50hp Silver Ghost in 1922. The 'Twenty' reflected Henry Royce's interest in contemporary trends within the American automobile industry, incorporating unitary construction of engine and gearbox, the latter featuring the modern innovation of a central ball change, and 'Hotchkiss drive' rear axle. The engine, Rolls-Royce's first with overhead valves, was a six-cylinder unit displacing 3,127cc. Favourably received as the Twenty was, its three-speed transmission's central gear change was not well liked and when four-wheel, servo-assisted brakes were introduced in 1925, a four-speed gearbox with right-hand, gated change replaced the original three-speeder.
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 40/50hp Ghost or Phantom. The car proved eminently suited to town use yet could cope admirably with Continental touring when called upon. In total, 2,490 20hp models were built between 1922 and 1929.
Accompanying copy build sheets and chassis cards show that chassis number 'GKM27' was completed with landaulette coachwork by Barker. The car was originally exported to New Zealand and re-imported in 1932, receiving the Surrey registration, 'GW 6154'. Many years later, in the early 1960s, 'GKM27' was rescued from a Kent orchard by Mr Roy Bingham and completely restored by him (see press cutting on file). The Rolls-Royce has belonged to the current vendor since 1976. In May of this year, 'GKM27' was with Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists Mark Taylor RR & B Ltd where the ignition system was overhauled and the dynamo and starter motor rebuilt (see bill on file). Described by the private vendor as in good condition throughout, this imposing Rolls-Royce Twenty is offered with framed correspondence; copy order form; a large quantity of expired MoTs; and old/current V5/V5C documents.
Saleroom notices
Interested parties should note that the framed correspondence catalogued is now within the car's history file.
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