1927 | Rolls-Royce 20 HP

*SOLD* 1927 Rolls Royce 20hp Maharaja of Burdwan Tourer

Year: 1927
Make: Rolls Royce
Model: 20hp
Body: Tourer
Reg: DS7695
Chassis: GAJ81
The 20h.p. model was introduced to meet requests for a smaller, less expensive car in keeping with the trend after the First World War towards smaller cars for a wider market. Construction was simplified - but standards of workmanship were not compromised. In fact, the 20h.p. is known as the Ghost little sister. -

Produced alongside the renowned Silver Ghost, the 20hp model was equally as well engineered and became popular as a lighter alternative suitable for a wide range of body styles. The 3.1-litre, six-cylinder monobloc engine featured overhead valves with an in-unit gearbox, single plate clutch, and open prop-shaft with spiral bevel final drive. As company founder Henry Royce said when the car was introduced, "simplicity was one of the aims of the designers, but not at the expense of perfection". Intended principally as an 'owner/driver' car, the 'Twenty' sold well during the period following hostilities, being popular as a town car, while many were fitted with touring bodies.
GAJ81 was bodied by Hooper & Co as an open tourer and shipped to India in September 1927 for use as a 'Trials' car (demonstrator). Its first private owner (from 7th December 1928) was the Maharajah of Burdwan, who was followed by Mr D L Dhur of Calcutta (from 24th May 1934). It is not known when the Rolls-Royce first returned to the UK, but the accompanying old-style V5 document records the date of first registration as 1st April 1988. The current vendor purchased the car at a UK auction in May 2010 (copy bill of sale on file).