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The Rolls-Royce Twenty was the company's answer to those seeking a model that could meet requests for a smaller, less expensive car. They were arguably the company's first car to leave the legacy of the Edwardian age behind. Power came from a 3127cc overhead valve inline six-cylinder engine and the gear selector and brake moved inside the body where it was both more convenience and didn't require reaching outside into the rain and wind. The overhead valve engine was a first for Rolls-Royce and mated to a three-speed transmission with central gear-change. The transmission 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 served as its replacement.
With a 129-inch wheelbase, the Model Twenty was a foot shorter than the contemporary Silver Ghost. The single ignition with coil and distributor increased reliability of the components and saved the company money.
At introduction, the chassis price was £1,100 which was far less than the £1,850 cost of a Silver Ghost. Built to the same high standards as the big 40/50 hp cars, they had a similar parallel girder frame with tubular cross-members and full-floating rear axle (albeit a bit smaller and lighter). The suspension was different for Rolls-Royce and employed semi-elliptic leaf springs in both the front and rear.
This Rolls-Royce 20HP Cabriolet with coachwork by Barker & Co. was ordered by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1923. The Prince of Wales is believed to have owned 11 examples of the marque in his lifetime, and that's not counting the Rolls-Royces others have claimed Edward owned over the years. This example was given dual-windscreen coachwork by Barker. The car was regularly serviced until 1933; the subsequent history is unclear but it is believed that the car remained in the United Kingdom. As some point in the late 1960s or early 1970s, the car joined the exodus of pre-war Rolls-Royces crossing the Atlantic and is believed to have been part of the MGM movie fleet before passing into the long-term ownership of kept it stored away in Brentwood, California for three decades.
This car has been with the current California owners since March of 2000. It is currently in unrestored condition and substantially complete. It wears its original Barker coachwork and has features like a speedo and a clock mounted in the rear compartment, Lucas lighting and the coachbuilders plates.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge Sale in Carmel, CA presented by Bonhams Auction. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $48,300, including buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012
With a 129-inch wheelbase, the Model Twenty was a foot shorter than the contemporary Silver Ghost. The single ignition with coil and distributor increased reliability of the components and saved the company money.
At introduction, the chassis price was £1,100 which was far less than the £1,850 cost of a Silver Ghost. Built to the same high standards as the big 40/50 hp cars, they had a similar parallel girder frame with tubular cross-members and full-floating rear axle (albeit a bit smaller and lighter). The suspension was different for Rolls-Royce and employed semi-elliptic leaf springs in both the front and rear.
This Rolls-Royce 20HP Cabriolet with coachwork by Barker & Co. was ordered by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1923. The Prince of Wales is believed to have owned 11 examples of the marque in his lifetime, and that's not counting the Rolls-Royces others have claimed Edward owned over the years. This example was given dual-windscreen coachwork by Barker. The car was regularly serviced until 1933; the subsequent history is unclear but it is believed that the car remained in the United Kingdom. As some point in the late 1960s or early 1970s, the car joined the exodus of pre-war Rolls-Royces crossing the Atlantic and is believed to have been part of the MGM movie fleet before passing into the long-term ownership of kept it stored away in Brentwood, California for three decades.
This car has been with the current California owners since March of 2000. It is currently in unrestored condition and substantially complete. It wears its original Barker coachwork and has features like a speedo and a clock mounted in the rear compartment, Lucas lighting and the coachbuilders plates.
In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge Sale in Carmel, CA presented by Bonhams Auction. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $48,300, including buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012
2012 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Sale
Sale Price :
USD $48,300
1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Rolls-Royce 20 HP
(Data based on Model Year 1923 sales)
1923 ROLLS-ROYCE 20HP OPEN DRIVE LANDAULETTE Chassis#: 77A6 Sold for USD$53,062 2021 Bonhams MPH July | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Open Tourer Sold for USD$76,046 2019 Shannons - Sydney Late Autumn Classic | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Open Tourer Sold for USD$110,000 2019 Shannons - Sydney Late Autumn Classic | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20HP Open Tourer by Smith & Waddington Chassis#: 83K7 Sold for USD$49,918 2017 Coys : Spring Classics | |
1923 ROLLS-ROYCE 20HP TOURER Chassis#: 57S9 Sold for USD$67,982 2016 Bonhams - Goodwood Members' Meeting | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Landaulette Chassis#: 58S1 Sold for USD$54,880 2014 H & H Auctions - Chateau Impney | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Cabriolet Sold for USD$106,886 2013 H & H Auctions - Imperial War Museum | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Coupé with Dickey Chassis#: 79A8 Sold for USD$46,289 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor cars and Automobilia | |
1923 Rolls Royce 20hp Doctor's Coupe Chassis#: 86 K2 Sold for USD$92,046 2012 Bonhams - The Beaulieu Sale Collectors' Motor Cars | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Cabriolet Chassis#: GA 14 Sold for USD$48,300 2012 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Sale | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Two Seater Chassis#: 50S6 Sold for USD$71,370 2012 Bonhams - The Scottsdale Sale, Az | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Chassis Chassis#: GF69 Sold for USD$234 2006 Bonhams - The Frank Cooke Collection |
Rolls-Royce 20 HPs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP | GA 69 | 2020 Webbs : Collectors' Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia | $115,000 | $130,000 | |
1923 Rolls-Royce Twenty Dual Windshield Tourer | 54S4 | 2019 Bonhams : Quail Lodge Auction | $100,000 | $130,000 | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Convertible | 87K5 | 2013 H & H Rockingham Castle | |||
1923 Rolls-Royce 20hp Coupe | 66H5 | 2013 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | $45,000 | $55,000 | |
1923 Rolls-Royce 20 Roadster | 50S6 | 2012 Worldwide The Auburn Auction | $115,000 | $135,000 |
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1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP
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