Lot details
Registration No: NE 7996
Chassis No: GOK 47
Mot Expiry: Dec 2005

Henry Royce's Rolls-Royce `Twenty', which could do 60mph without the expense of a chauffeur, started to appear in the motor houses of the increasingly taxed upper crust from October 1922. Times were a'changing. A four-speed, right-hand gear change and, more importantly for client safety not to mention other road users, brakes retarding all four wheels were added from 1925. The first small Rolls-Royce, more manageable and considerably cheaper than the previous Silver Ghost, the new 20hp was nevertheless produced to the same high quality and very fussy standards as the 40/50hp flagship model.
Rolls-Royce 20hp chassis number GOK 47 was made in 1922 and bodied with the current two-door, three-position drophead coupe with dickey bodywork by Northern coachbuilders Cockshoot. We understand that this right-hand drive motor car was `rescued' in Church Stretton by the current owner approximately five years ago, since when various renovation work has been completed including an overhaul of the front suspension and the rear axle with worn components replaced. The brake actuating mechanism has been overhauled, too, and tyres and battery recently renewed.
The owner tells us that NE 7996 has always been well maintained during his tenure and is said to be currently in generally good overall running condition with the 3127cc six-cylinder motor and four-speed manual gearbox reportedly in good order. The chassis is reportedly good as are the body and green over black paintwork, whilst the brown leather and carpeted interior is also described as good and the reproofed hood fabric claimed to be watertight.