Rolls-Royce Twenty Dual Windshield Tourer, 1923
Rolls-Royce 20
Rolls-Royce 20•
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Chassis No.: 54S4
Engine No.: G273
Estimate: US$100,000 - US$130,000 USD
- 3,127cc OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
- Single Carburetor
- Coil and Magneto Ignition
- 3-Speed Manual Transmission
- Leaf Spring Suspension
- Rear Mechanical Brakes
- Stunning Barrel-sided custom coachwork by Barker & Co
- Desirable Overhead-valve Six-cylinder engine
- Documented by the Rolls-Royce Foundation
Changing times after WWI eventually forced the abandonment of Rolls-Royce's 'one model' policy, and the all-new Twenty model joining the existing 40/50hp Silver Ghost in 1922. The 'Twenty' reflected Henry Royce's interest in contemporary trends within the American automobile industry, incorporating unit construction of engine and gearbox, the latter featuring the modern innovation of a central ball change, and 'Hotchkiss drive' rear axle. The engine, Rolls-Royce's first with overhead valves, was a six-cylinder unit displacing 3,127cc.
Favorably received as the Twenty was, its three-speed transmission's central gearchange was not well liked, and when four-wheel, servo-assisted brakes were introduced in 1925, a four-speed gearbox with right-hand, gated change replaced the original three-speeder.
The Twenty's introduction of enabled the company to cater for the increasingly important owner-driver market that appreciated the quality of Rolls-Royce engineering but did not need a car as large as a 40/50hp Ghost or Phantom. The car proved eminently suited to town use yet could cope admirably with Continental touring when called upon.
THE MOTORCAR OFFERED
Offered here is a stunningly beautiful Barker-bodied Rolls-Royce Twenty Tourer. Based on copies of factory records and ledgers provided by the Rolls-Royce Foundation, the earliest information available shows that chassis 54S4 was tested on February 14, 1923, as the 168th Twenty chassis in the production run. The chassis completed with drivetrain and axles was sent right to Barker & Co when new, where it was fitted with the lovely, Barrel-sided Open Tourer coachwork as seen on the car today. The finished Rolls-Royce received its final inspections on June 29, 1923 and was then delivered to a Mr. F.
Goodbody in Wales. 54S4 then went to a Rolls-Royce agency in London, where it was sold on November 29, 1924 to Arnold Reckitt, of Yorkshire. Reckitt, an industrialist and supposedly personal friend of Winston Churchill, who used the Twenty to pick up his guests at the train station to be taken to his estate. The Rolls-Royce was later sold to Breckon Hill Motors, Milddlesborough in 1967, at which point an extensive restoration was carried out.
In 1971, the Twenty Barker Tourer was sold to Perry Jenkins of Pebble Beach, California. He had further restoration work done by Herb Wuesthoff in Northern California, including fitting a new 1929 20-type cylinder block.
In 1980, Mr. Jenkins sold the car to Windom Estes, also resident of Pebble Beach. He remained the owner for almost 40 years until recently. During his ownership, 54S4 received extensive cosmetic and mechanical attention, including the installment of a new cylinder head supplied by Frank Cook of the Vintage Garage.
Today this lovely 1923 Rolls-Royce Twenty Dual Windshield Tourer by Barker shows beautifully with handsome patina and is ready for touring and concours shows. The car is offered with tools, a handbook and side curtains, as well as a history file containing factory records from when the car was new.
