20 HP clean rust free example - Estate purchase, been in storage some 25 years

1926 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Drop Head Coupe ("DHC")

Rolls-Royce

20 HP

Drop head Coupe

1926

body by

SoutherN Motor Co

Chapham, London, UK

This is a cute little 20 HP Rolls-Royce DHC recently sold from an estate. She has been in storage for at least 25 years.

The car currently does not run but engine turns freely and she rolls uninhibited. We have not looked into her with any great degree but have ascertained she will need a new starter motor and the brakes will need attention. Along with all the usual recommissioning procedures typically expected of any classic car having sat in storage for many years.

She was dry stored, is rust free and clean but in need of restoration. Both the chassis and body frame are strong (see pix in link). That said, she is rather pretty and you could just get her going and drive her as is.We have no way of ascertaining whether the shown mileage of 71,889 is correct or not, but it is quite possibly true.
Interior has lovely leather without rips or tears and showing a nice degree of patina. With a clean up or very light Connollising it will present beautifully.
We are a 45 year experienced Rolls-Royce restoration shop so we are quite capable of getting the car running and operational to any level requested. Feel free to enquire about our services. You can learn more at www.park-ward.com

Rolls-Royce 20 HP - overview

This first small Rolls-Royce car became an instant success and is easily distinguished by the horizontal radiator shutters on all but last few produced. It had a 6 cylinder 3 litre engine with a monobloc cast iron cylinder block and crankcase, and detachable cylinder head. It was better suited to lighter coachwork than the Silver Ghost and later Phantoms.

Production numbers: 2,940

Year: 1922 - 1929

Technical Specifications:

Engine:6 cylinder monobloc with detachable cast iron head. Capacity 3127cc. Overhead pushrod operated valves. 2-part aluminium crankcase. 7-bearing crankshaft with vibration damper. Pressure fed lubrication with relief valve feeding rocker shaft and timing gears. Oil capacity 10 pints.

Ignition: Coil with standby magneto. Semi-automatic timing advance.

Cooling system: Engine driven pump and fan. Horizontal thermostatic radiator shutters.

Carburation: 2-jet type with starting carburettor and automatic air valve.

Fuel system: Rear mounted 14 gallon tank with Autovac. Direct-acting gauge on tank.

Transmission: Gearbox in unit with engine. 4-speed with right hand gearchange. Singe dry plate clutch. Open drive propeller shaft.

Suspension: Semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear. Hydraulic front shock dampers.

Brakes: Front wheel brakes from 1925 with mechanical servo motor driven from the gearbox.

Steering: Worm and nut.

~~ A non-running but engine turning, rolling car recently taken our of storage after some 25 years. Recommission and leave the rest as is, or fully restore to your liking. Either way, a great fun early Rolls-Royce to own ~~

International buyers are always welcome ~ we can arrange shipping anywhere in the world.
Click HERE to see additional photos!

Click HERE to see additional photos!

**PLEASE read our standard auction terms and conditions below BEFORE bidding.**
~~ Important note: the $2,000 deposit is due within 24 hours. If not paid, or if no contact is received within that period, we reserve the right to offer the car to any other party.~~

~~oo00oo~~

This Rolls-Royce is a consignment car offered for sale on behalf of a customer. Although licensed and bonded, I am not a main-stream retail car dealer or broker; I am a professional car collector of some 40 years with considerable experience and knowledge of Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars. I have a long standing reputation being associated with the marque which I take seriously. I take pride in my cars and have fun in collecting and restoring them. However, auctions are not a game so when you place a bid or offer, and you are the winning bidder, please understand you have entered a binding contract. You cannot bid and win the auction and expect not to meet the terms and conditions. Bidding and/or winning does not mean you are expecting me to “hold” the car until you have the opportunity to inspect it. Any inspection contemplated should be undertaken BEFORE you bid or make an offer and I openly welcome any potential buyer to come and personally inspect the car. Once you bid or make an offer, you are doing so to buy WITHOUT conditions. Your bid can not be subject to anything. A $2000.00 deposit (non-refundable) is required within 24 hours of the close of the auction and payable by PayPal. The balance of funds are required within 7 days of the close of the auction and must be provided by cashier’s check or bank wire. I cannot accept PayPal for the balance unless you are willing to meet the cost of transfer fees. Full payment must be made (and payments cleared) before the title and/or the vehicle is released. All payments are non-refundable. Payments as described above form an important part of this purchase contract and so, if all the funds are not received as outlined above, I reserve the right to terminate the transaction without notice. If there has been any deposit or other part payments received and I elect to terminate the contract, I reserve the right to keep any such deposits or payments and resell the vehicle to another bidder or interested party or re-list the vehicle at any time. To be clear, if you change your mind for ANY reason and do not complete the transaction in the time-frame required, you will forfeit your deposit. I am happy to assist with shipping arrangements on a national and worldwide basis but the winning bidder takes full responsibility for pickup and/or shipping and at his cost.

As a collector and experienced restorer of the marque, I make every effort to bring my cars to a high standard. By comparison, my cars are generally superior to others available. That said, this car is NOT one of my normal cars. It was maintained by us and all work, services and maintenance doen professionally. However, the car was restored well outside of factory specifications some years ago and although will appeal to some, purists will not appreciate the deviation from factory specifications. The car is not of show standard but of decent "driver" condition. Please understand, show cars of this model cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to achieve and sell for prices commensurate, so the sale price of this car reflects its relative condition. You are buying "condition" accordingly. Buyers should not expect to receive concours quality or "perfect" cars at these prices. Please also understand, the very nature of these classic Rolls-Royces is such that it is not always possible to attend to every item, or perhaps I may have inadvertently overlooked items. Further, and very importantly, these cars are classic cars also because they are old. So this means a 93 year old car is predominantly comprised of 93 year old parts. And old parts will fail. All buyers must understand and expect that things can or will wear out, break and/or stop functioning without notice. This is even more likely with hand-built English cars of early technology when compared to the typical American car of the same vintage. Please also understand, in terms of presenting the car for sale, by example; if we change a brake line because it appears aged or faulty, we do NOT at the same time replace all other hoses because they are of similar age. This is considered "preventative maintenance". We do not do this unless specifically requested and is not included in the purchase price. Feel free to ask for this additional service. Further, a feature or function that is working perfectly one moment, may decide to play-up the next. After all, it is some 93 years old. This is the nature of any classic car and especially a Rolls-Royce which was very "complicated" for its era. For this reason it is necessary for the following condition:

The vehicle is being sold "as-is/where-is" with no warranty expressed, written or implied. Any descriptions or representations are made with reasonable judgment and all efforts are made to ensure fair assessment and accuracy but they are for descriptive and identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. The seller shall not be responsible for errors in description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein and makes no warranty in connection therewith. If any aspect of the description contradicts what can be seen in the photos, then the photos shall prevail as the reference point. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, unforeseen imperfection, defect or damage. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have satisfied himself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects at the buyer’s request prior to the close of the auction. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any written or oral statements about the vehicle. Being a classic car in excess of 10 years of age, in mostUSstates, the mileage may be recorded as “exempt”. In this regard the seller makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the mileage indicated or shown and accepts no responsibility for any discrepancy with independent reports such as Carfax, AutoCheck, etc.In this regard the seller makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the mileage indicated or shown. I can hold the vehicle up to 30 days while you arrange shipping but you must immediately insure it. I will not bear any responsibility for any additional costs including storage, transportation, or repair after the close of the auction. Whereas I am happy to store the car in excess of 30 days from auction end, a cost of $35 per day shall apply beyond 30 days of auction end. I recommedn the car be professionally transported in an enclosed carrier for shipping to your location.
PLEASE; IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ABIDE BY THESE TERMS, CONTACT ME BEFORE YOU CONTEMPLATE DOING SO AS, RESPECTFULLY, THERE CAN BE NO EXCEPTIONS.
I am sorry if these terms seem harsh but there seem to be some very unrealistic buyers out there - fortunately, only few of these people exist but those that do can make life difficult, so it appears EVERYTHING needs to spelled out. Very simply put, this is an old car being offered for sale. It is not new and is subject to the perils of age. Further, Rolls-Royces are not without nuances, idiosyncrasies and they are renown for a host of design issues which can make them not inexpensive to maintain. This is well documented in many circles. You need to be a special and considerate type of purchaser to own a Rolls-Royce. Their down-side is part of the fun in owning them! As the old saying goes; "we love to hate them and hate to love them!" So, please respect the terms and conditions when you bid.

~~oo00oo~~