1927 | Rolls-Royce 20 HP

The meeting of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce in May 1904 spawned one of the most famous business partnerships in the motoring world, leading to the creation of the prestige marque ‘Rolls-Royce’ in 1906. Quickly gaining a reputation for luxury cars with superior engineering and great reliability, volume production began with the Silver Ghost model in 1907.

Introduced in 1922, the 20hp represented a move to broaden their range, offering a (slightly) smaller vehicle, which might be driven by the owner himself, rather than require a trained chauffeur. Powered by a new 3 litre, 6-cylinder engine, Rolls-Royce provided only the rolling chassis – it was expected that the bodywork be made and fitted by a separate coachbuilder, allowing the owner to select the style and specification of the accommodation. In production until 1929, it is believed 2,940 20hp models were made.

We know from Rolls-Royce production records that this car was ordered in December 1926, with delivery of chassis number GRJ 21 taking place in July 1927. The car was then fitted out by coachbuilders HJ Mulliner, who added a Weymann fabric saloon body. Registered for the road in August 1927 - as RX 825 – the first owner only kept the car for a year. Passing through the hands of a couple of further owners, in 1938 it came into the possession of one WH Coffey who commissioned Rippon Bros, of Huddersfield to re-body the car with Six Light saloon coachwork, taken from a Rolls-Royce 20/25 model, which is as it stands today.

Sadly, WH Coffey was killed in 1941 and the car passed to his brother, Major JW Coffey, who kept the vehicle until 2004. There is a fascinating notebook on file providing some insights to the car’s use over these 60 years – which included European tours in the late ‘40s and 1950s. The Rolls-Royce was kept in fully roadworthy condition, but perhaps limited use as the years passed, as there are MOT certificates present for 1985 (58,438 miles) and 1992 (58,887 miles).

In 2004, the car moved to a new owner and was subsequently purchased by the current keeper the following year. The car was shipped to Jersey, where it was re-registered with 60,085 miles recorded. A full engine rebuild/renovation was undertaken with specialist Taylors (UK) Ltd. of Chichester in 2008-9 and the car has given the owner sterling service, having been regularly driven, used for rallies, exhibited at shows etc. etc.

Being a 1927 model, this car benefits from the four-speed gearbox with right-hand change, which first appeared in 1925. Similarly, it has four-wheel brakes with mechanical servo also introduced in 1925. The full, specialist-completed engine renovation carried out some years ago remains in good fettle, the car running and driving very well. In original trim, fitted with coachwork to factory-recommended weight, the 20hp was said to be genuinely capable of 60 mph.

Believed to be a unique vehicle, being the sole known example of a Rippon body on a 20hp GRJ series chassis. The car is featured in the Jonathon Wood coachbuilder history publication ‘Rippon Bros - a coachbuilder of Renown’. As may be seen in the accompanying photographs, the body of the car, paint finish and brightwork are all in excellent condition.

Re-trimmed throughout, with cloth seating in the rear and lightly patinated leather seats for driver and passenger, the interior is a special place to be, the fitted rooflight providing both extra light and ventilation to the cabin. Wood trim, dashboard, cloth headlining, door cards, carpets – all in equally good condition.

A quite unique vintage Rolls-Royce saloon that has been very well maintained and cherished by its owner of the last 2 decades. Far from being a museum piece, the car has been successfully used for continental rallies and was a concours award winner within the RR Enthusiast Club in 2010.

There is a briefcase of maintenance and renovation paperwork accompanying the vehicle, amongst which are copies of the original Rolls-Royce documentation re the construction, testing and sign off the car from the factory, together with some ownership and factory service details up to 1938. There are two boxes of spare parts also provided with the vehicle.

The Rolls-Royce is currently Jersey registered, although the owner has confirmation from the DoT that the original UK registration number (RX 825) has been retained for possible future use. As ever, we can assist with shipping and importation processes if required.