1927 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Woody Estate

We can do no better than to use the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club description of the car – after all, who is better placed to explain the car’s history than the club that owns it?

“The chassis was delivered to Barker & Co. Ltd on January 5th 1927 for the fitting of an open tourer body on the orders of The Clyde Automobile Co Ltd acting on behalf of the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Moray, Kinfaune Castle, Perth. The completed car was delivered to Clyde Auto on March 31st of the same year. The total sale price was £1100.

“The car was later sold to the Hon. James Start in London in the summer of 1930 and purchased by members of the RREC, Mr & Mrs Mitchell in 1957 sporting its current shooting brake body. Little is known of the building of the shooting brake body by A R McCleod & Son.

“The car has been extensively modernised since original design, having an extra bench seat fitted which gives it more capacity to carry 8 people. The vehicle enjoyed many trips abroad whilst owned by the Mitchells including to Barcelona in 1959.

“This stunning car was bequeathed to the RREC in 2021 and has spent the next two years being restored to an excellent standard. In September 2023 the car was delivered to the RREC Headquarters at Hunt House in Paulerspury, Northants where it is proudly displayed.”

Paperwork in the history file gives this additional information:

“The car was purchased by its present owner in July 1957, now wearing a shooting brake body and having been extensively ‘modernised’, probably in the late 40's in order to gain a 'C' or commercial licence and so access to ‘red’ petrol. 

“It carried three rows of simple, easily-removable bench seats giving capacity for eight persons but since it could be configured for 4/5 or 2/3 occupants it was a very versatile vehicle. With the two rearmost benches removed there was ample room for sleeping and our first long trip was to Barcelona in 1959, the car providing us with all necessary accommodation and behaving perfectly over more than 2000 miles. 

“Little is known about the builder of the present body. The name McCleod was given to me in the 60's when we called in at the little fishing port of Helmsdale on the northeast coast of Scotland and the car was recognised. Apparently, they were a firm of boatbuilders, and the body exhibits the rugged strength of sound, if unsophisticated craftsmanship. In these days of congested, stressful driving she adds a sense of occasion to even the shortest trip and a sense of achievement on our return from forays further afield and, of course, she is always a pleasure to drive.”

And there’s more:

“The previous owner, from whom we purchased the car was an army major, and could hardly be described as a Rolls-Royce enthusiast since he informed us that his reason for selling was in order to buy a 150cc Velocette motorcycle. 

“Needless to say, we have never regretted acquiring GHJ 15. She has served us well for 50 years, tackling all manner of jobs when, for the first seven years, she was our everyday car; we could hardly afford even the petrol, and a big repair bill would have been a disaster. 

“Nowadays she leads a less arduous but still busy life and is truly a part of the family. In these days of congested, stressful driving she adds a sense of occasion to even the shortest trip and a sense of achievement on our return from forays further afield and, of course, she is always a pleasure to drive. 

“Henry has truly earned our allegiance.”

As well as appearances in the club magazine and on the RREC’s stand at the 2023 Classic Motor Show at the NEC, the Woody has also appeared in the 1989 film Danny, The Champion of the World.

Wearing the registration number ‘NS 2435’, we are delighted to offer this charming shooting brake for sale, something that last happened back in 1957! 

The Woody’s owner described the body as exhibiting “the rugged strength of sound, if unsophisticated craftsmanship”, which seems a bit harsh to us but as they owned it for well over half a century, who are we to quibble?

It’s true that it is a bit boxy but then those angular lines allowed the coachbuilder to maximise the interior space: As the previous owner explained, you can seat up to eight people – or use it as a campervan.

What a great YouTube series that would be: Exploring the world in a vintage Rolls-Royce!

Refurbished in 2023 by the experts in the RREC, it presents well but does offer its new owner the opportunity to refresh a few areas such as the rear wheelarches, which show a little rust, and the woodwork, some of which is starting to peel.

What a great YouTube series that would be: Reviving your vintage Rolls-Royce before using it to explore the world!

The rest is good, with a decent shine to the cream metalwork and a good lustre to the varnished woodwork. It looks solid too; while the rear wheelarches are starting to rust, the rest of the metal panels are solid, as is the woodwork, so we think any work would be to stabilise and preserve rather than replace and restore. 

The drop-down tailgate offers a perch to sit and enjoy your picnic as you admire the view, while the extensive glazing allows you to admire those self-same views while you are on the move.

Selflessly, the iconic radiator grille, huge Lucas King of the Road BI-FLEX Long-Range headlamps, and wooden body also offer passersby what will almost certainly be the best view of their day. 

The black fabric-covered roof is in good order, and a set of Lucas rear lamps have been fitted. 

The tyres fitted to the (very good) 21-inch painted wire wheels are from Dunlop, and the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that the Royce’s long-distance touring chops are further bolstered by the presence of a brace of spare wheels. The tread all looks good, although some of the tyres are old and perished and will need to be replaced.

Apart from the stuff we’ve already mentioned, the front bumper is missing a small amount of chrome from its offside lower corner, the paint is peeling from the wooden windscreen header rail, and some of the panels have a distinct ‘orange peel’ finish.

The interior is every bit as characterful as the coachwork – and just as fit-for-purpose.

With seating for up to eight people, it can also be configured to accommodate as few as two, leaving plenty of space for luggage and even for sleeping, something the privacy curtains would facilitate.

Have we mentioned what a great campervan this would make?

It’s beautifully constructed: Take a look at the steering column, for example, never mind the steering wheel itself. 

Or the fold-down picnic table in the rear, and the sliding drawers under the rear floor that hold the tool kit and spares, of which more anon. 

The wooden headlining too, and the elegant white-on-black instruments, and the antique light switches above the windscreen.

Plus, of course, the many plaques that have been carefully fitted throughout the cabin.

And while it is true that the leather seat coverings are dry and cracked, we can’t help feeling that a vintage car – and this one will celebrate its centenary next year – carries a patina better than most.

Besides, a car like this deserves to be preserved, not restored. To have its nigh-on 100 years on this planet celebrated, not eradicated. 

YMMV, but we think it looks absolutely bloomin’ wonderful as it is, and we wouldn’t be tempted to do much to it other than try to preserve its wood, leather, and carpets for as long as possible.

The centre-hinged bonnet, which is rubbing against its adjacent panels, gives good access to the engine – and if even that isn’t good enough, the entire thing can be removed easily.

And if the coachwork and interior are agreeably patinated, the engine is an absolute delight. Clean and very well presented, the engineers who built it clearly put enormous effort into ensuring that it looked as good as it performed: Working on it would be a genuine pleasure. 

Speaking of which, online resources via the RREC are plentiful and include a guide to the tool kit the car came with: Presented as The small car with the big tool kit!, we can’t help thinking that a resourceful owner would be able to keep it running with only the factory-supplied tools and the handful of spare parts the previous owner has carefully amassed over the years.

Which might come in handy; while its custodians at the RREC have devoted an awful lot of effort into restoring and maintaining it, it doesn’t currently start although the engine can be turned over by hand. 

The underside, which shows evidence of previous welded repairs, appears to be good and strong with only moderate surface rust spoiling its finish.

The Rolls-Royce does not have an MoT certificate. 

The history file includes the buff Registration Book, some expired tax discs, a box of period photos, a vast quantity of paperwork from the RREC, books including a logbook, a Union Flag pennant, a ‘Rolls-Royce Hooper Coachwork’ sill plate, and a RREC cool bag containing awards McCleod has won over the years, as well as the rally plates its accumulated.

That a car like this comes to market with an estimate of between £15,000 and £20,000 is one of life’s cruel ironies; on the one hand we can’t help but lament how far one of the world’s finest motorcars has fallen – and on the other we’re excited by the opportunities its affordability provides.

From a high-days-and-holidays treat through to one of the coolest overland vehicles you can imagine (please see this article in Classic and Sports Car for inspiration), this listing has had us scrabbling for loose change down the back of the sofa and wondering if we know anyone who’d be prepared to buy a kidney…

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.