1926 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Hooper 6 Light Saloon

Chassis number 'GCK-78' wears six-light saloon coachwork by Hooper and was delivered new to its first owner, a Wolverhampton brewer, publican and hotelier by the name of John Lord, in April 1926. 

When new it was ‘Royal Claret’ with black wings and valances.

The vendor’s father bought GCK-78 in 1977 and spent around three years thoroughly restoring the car, with the work carried out covering the engine, interior and a resprayed exterior in green and black.

The car passed to the vendor in 1988, when it was again fully restored (engine, mechanicals and interior), and resprayed in the splendid ‘Taxi Black’ and ‘Oxford Blue’ livery you see today. The car has an aluminium bonnet.

The car received constant care, attention and fettling from the vendor’s husband, a talented and passionate engineer. It has also been maintained, serviced and cared-for by such esteemed specialists as Will Fiennes and A.J. Glew.

The vehicle is well-known in RREC circles and featured in an article by Nick Walker – ‘Rolls-Royce in Detail’.

The vendor tells us that, between 1988 and 2024, the car covered around 35,000 miles - in the UK, France and Spain – but, as only the trip odometer is working, the mileage shown has been re-zeroing after every 10,000 miles.

Today, this very original 20hp, which has been in the same family ownership for nearly 50 years, is in excellent all-round condition save for a couple of largely cosmetic issues here and there. 

The bodywork is true, straight, and untroubled by any dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds that we can see.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are crisp and clean, and all four doors close with weight, accuracy and certainty.

The car’s blue paintwork has real lustre and a depth of shine to it, as does the glossy black finish on the wings and the Esso petrol can.

The aluminium bonnet is in pristine condition and, everywhere you cast your gaze, the brightwork is shiny and free of any foxing or pitting that we can see.

The roof is fine, as are the wheels and tyres.

The black paintwork on the petrol tank and both front wings is cracked, split and lifting in several places.

With its silk blinds and inlaid wooden panels, the delightful interior is hugely evocative of a bygone age.

The upholstery, with its period-correct blue/grey Bedford cord covers, is supportive and comfortable.

The carpets and mats are also in fine condition, as are the door cards and headlining. wear, tear, use or abuse.

The control, instruments and dials all look to be in good order, aside from a spot of black paint missing in one or two places.

The engine bay is spotlessly clean, dry and tidy. Everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car look to have a great deal of structural integrity and seem to us to be wholly uncompromised by weather, use or the passage of time.

The car comes with copies of its original build sheets, a number of tools, two sets of keys, a V5C and a clear HPI report. 

This car exudes period charm from every pore.

It is in very good overall condition bar a few issues with the paintwork in some areas, and it wants for nothing except to be driven, enjoyed and shared. 

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £40,000 - £45,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 10am-4pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.