1924 Rolls-Royce 20hp Doctors Coupe

Lot details
Registration No: DS 9474
Chassis No: GRK6
Mot Expiry: June 2008

Intended to broaden the marque's reach beyond the fabulously rich to the merely very wealthy, the Rolls-Royce 20HP was introduced in 1922. A more radical design than its illustrious 40/50HP Silver Ghost sibling, the newcomer was based around a 10ft 9in wheelbase ladder-frame chassis equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, rear-wheel brakes and fully-floating 'Hotchkiss Drive' back axle. The first Rolls-Royce engine to feature overhead valvegear, its 3127cc straight-six was designed to run at anywhere between 150rpm and 3,500rpm. Notably quiet, it was mounted in unit with the clutch and three-speed manual gearbox. Though, the provision of a centre ball change gearlever was deemed excessively modern and American by some! Priced at £1,100 in bare chassis guise, the 20HP was not only less expensive than the Silver Ghost but also lighter and more responsive to drive too.

Finished in cream over blue with blue leathercloth upholstery, this particular example is variously described by the vendor as being in "all working" (electrical equipment), "OK" (engine, three-speed gearbox), "very good" (chassis, bodywork, tyres) or "excellent" (paintwork, interior trim) condition. According to its accompanying copy build sheets, 'GRK6' was dispatched as a rolling chassis to Rolls-Royce of America Inc (Springfield, Massachusetts) in July 1924. Originally intended to carry Brougham Town Car coachwork by Brewster, a change of plans saw the 20hp fitted with the Doctor's Coupe body which it still retains. Interestingly, the first known owner is a Miss Pilkington of The Steyne, Bournemouth but she seems to have relinquished possession in May 1927. The subject of an extensive restoration during the late 1990s, 'GRK6' is understood to have been ôsitting for a whileö and therefore ôto need recommissioningö. Riding on wire wheels and sporting a dickey seat, this elegant 20hp must surely be among the cheapest open-topped Vintage Rolls-Royces on the market.