1924 Rolls-Royce 20HP Park Ward Coupe

As is sometimes the case with rare cars such as this, quite a lot is known about Rolls-Royce 20HP chassis number GH27. For instance, we know that the sale of GH27 was agreed on 29th October 1923 well before its completion on the 18th December of that year. GH27 didn’t arrive at Park Ward’s Willesden premises until the 16th January 1924 with its final test by the esteemed coachbuilder on the 19th February. It seems Park Ward arranged the legalities with the London County Council issuing the registration number of XR2983 to adorn the now four-door Saloon Landaulette configured car. The first owner and specifier of the Park Ward coachwork was one Edgar John Glaze. Glaze was a midlands-based businessman and a partner in the firm Charles George Bushell - Iron, Steel, Coal & Coke Merchants of some renown. 

After three years with Glaze the Rolls-Royce was sold to A. H. Redfern who owned a metal working business in Birmingham. By the early 1930’s, GH27 was back in London and in the keep of one Reverend Holden of Wimbledon. Within a few years GH27 moved east to take up residence with Thomas Neilson who was the manager of the private T.B. Sanatorium at Mundesley in rural Norfolk. For arguably the most dramatic phase of its life, GH27’s trail goes a little cold. 

At some point between the mid-1930’s and the mid-1960’s (but most likely during the war years) GH27 was converted to a pickup and led a less glamorous life as a working commercial vehicle. The Rolls-Royce was subsequently rescued from a life of drudgery and restored and reconfigured into its current and unique coupe form, complete with charming dickey seat. Accompanying paperwork confirms a spell in New Jersey, USA between 2009 and 2016 when it was reexported to the land of its birth. Despite this remarkable rollercoaster of a life story GH27 has managed to retain its original engine (number G786) and that London County Council issued registration number. What a fascinating and storied Rolls-Royce!

If you squint a little, it is easy enough to conjure up an image of this remarkable car as a pickup truck. With the dickey seat closed it exhibits a somewhat truck-like profile with tall, flat-backed cabin and long flat rear deck. That’s where any truck-like comparisons end, however, with its burgundy and black livery simply oozing Rolls-Royce sophistication and prestige. Its distinguished front profile very clearly reveals it as a Twenty with that signature horizontally slatted radiator grill, large outboard lights and bicycle style front wings.

The charming V-screen windscreen arrangement features hinged top panes and affords an uninterrupted view of the derriere of the Spirit of Ecstasy. Front and rear wings are connected by generous running boards which feature an inset wooden tool chest to the nearside and a Pratts, brass-lidded fuel can to the offside. The space between the trailing edge of the front wings and the front hinged doors is sufficient to provide home to a pair of spare artillery wheels.

The upright cabin is finished in a black leather-type fabric which was very much a favoured approach in the 1920’s. Behind this the rear deck slopes gently away to terminate in a rounded tail almost above the rear axle. The fuel tank sits nestled beneath a luggage frame and features an original 14-gallon external fuel gauge. This captivating look is rounded off by the burgundy finished 10-spoke artillery wheels and accompanying 5.00 -23 period look tyres.

The condition is impressive overall considering the remarkable journey this Rolls-Royce has travelled but, inevitably, not without minor flaws. Our team note various small stone chips in various locations together with some cracked paint and general low-level patina. A patched repair to the roof panel is also noted. Please study our detailed photographic package at your leisure. 

The snug cabin of this Twenty is finished in sky blue leather with light tan carpets and buttoned headlining. Seating is courtesy of a full width, well-padded and box pleated bench. This appears to have had a sympathetic repair to the passenger side seat back with a slightly different shade of blue noted. The seat bases exhibit a delightful level of use related patina which only adds to the appeal of this cabin.

The door panels are finished in matching blue leather and feature externally mounted map satchels on both sides as well period appropriate, high-quality fixtures and fittings. The doors are capped with varnished hardwood which matches that of the dashboard fascia. A family of white on black original gauges are on display here together with various painted metal and Bakelite knobs and switches. The large four spoke steering wheel has ignition advance / retard and hand throttle levers at its centre.

Behind the cabin is the aforementioned dickey seat which has been trimmed to match the hues and textures of the main cabin. With its upright backrest and quite shallow dimensions this is likely considered an occasional perch but a very characterful one, nonetheless.

The 1923/24 Rolls-Royce Twenty may have been a smaller, entry-level newcomer but it was still a Rolls-Royce! As such its mechanical specification was among the best available at the time. The Inline 6-cylinder overhead-valve engine has a capacity of 3,127cc and a cast-iron monobloc cylinder block and detachable cylinder head. It has a 7-bearing crankshaft with vibration damper and a pressure-fed lubrication system and single Rolls-Royce carburettor. 

The centre hinged bonnet lifts both sides to afford peerless access to that straight six engine. Doing this reveals a beautiful combination of polished alloys, brasses and embossed RR motifs. High quality and original components, like the Autovac fuel pump, predominate and a sense of carefully curated originality prevails. The superb brass horn looks for all the world like a small terrier should be listening intently at one end of it. For autophiles everywhere this engine room could be considered as close to art as you are likely to find. The underside tells a story of a clearly diligent restoration combined with attentive stewardship. It almost beggars belief that this underside belongs to a 102-year-old car that was once a pickup truck.

As you might have surmised, there is a highly instructive paperwork archive included with this Rolls-Royce. It is as eclectic as it is extensive and ranges from original documentation right up to a virtual ream of high value invoices from the 2017/18 period. It is clear that many thousands of pounds were spent at around that time, mostly with marque specialists Milford Vintage Engineering.

Other highlights include original build record copies, as well as intriguing snippets from a life well lived such as the New Jersey pink-slip and a photograph from the 1960’s showing the Twenty in its pre-restoration commercial vehicle guise.

The Rolls-Royce Twenty was a pivotal model for the marque denoting a most un-Rolls-Royce like attempt to move with the times and make slightly more attainable and manageable cars. The Twenty’s six-cylinder engine would provide a template for Rolls-Royce engines right up to the arrival of the V8 in the Silver Shadow of the 1960’s.

All 20HP Rolls-Royces are rare, of course, but many less are unique. This example not only showcases a unique bodywork configuration but also a unique and remarkable backstory. From esteemed upper-class transport to commercial workhorse and now, over 100 years later, ready to start a new chapter as a truly one of a kind Rolls-Royce. 

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’.