Lot 329: 1927 Rolls-Royce 20hp Sports Saloon by Southern Motor Co.

In the years of the Depression immediately after the First World War it was inevitable that there would be a drop in demand for luxury cars at the top end of the market. Rolls-Royce knew it could not rely purely on such prestige models as its Silver Ghost for survival and thus decided to produce a smaller and more affordable model. The resultant 20HP was indeed considerably smaller than its previous cars and was powered by an all-new six cylinder engine of 3,127cc mated to a three-speed transmission with centrally mounted gear lever. This sturdy chassis was leaf-sprung at both ends while brakes were fitted to the rear axle only, on which the centrally-mounted handbrake also operated. Introduced in 1922, and quickly nick-named 'The Baby Rolls', the 20HP was warmly received and soon became a popular model. Coachwork could be sourced from a wide variety of specialist concerns in closed, open or touring forms. The centrally-mounted gear lever and handbrake, however, did lead to some criticism and in 1925 these were re-sited on the right-hand side of the body as on larger Rolls-Royce models; at the same time the transmission was changed to a four-speed unit, together with four wheel braking assisted by Rolls-Royce's own gearbox-driven mechanical servo. Production ceased in 1929 after a total of 2,940 20HP models had been manufactured. Supplied new on August 27 1927 with Park Ward Three-quarter Drop-head Coupe coachwork, and finished in scarlet orange with black wings, this 20HP's first owner was a Miss Daisy L Longstaff of Putney Hill, London. Ten years later chassis GRJ 35 was purchased by the Clapham-based Southern Motor Company, a well known specialist in the fitment of new style bodywork, usually supplied by Coachcraft, to updated Rolls-Royce chassis. Smart and rakish and reflecting the very latest of designs, and fitted with a 20/25 model radiator in order to give it as up-to-date an appearance as possible, foursome coupe, tourer and four door saloon bodies were available, and it was the latter that was chosen for GRJ 35. Several decades later the car had passed to an owner in America and it was from there that it returned to Great Britain for a comprehensive restoration by Woodall Nicholson between 1978 and 1980, the cost of which totalled some £25,000. The extensive renovation of the coachwork included the fitment of new sections to the ash body frame, new steel bulkheads, new aluminium panels in place of damaged or corroded sections, a new roof panel, new windscreen pillars, new steel wheel arch panels, new aluminium rear wings, repaired front wings, stripped and re-polished interior wood trim, refurbished seat squabs, new grey Connolly hide trim, new headlining and re-chromed bright-work. Prior to all of this, other work included renovation of the petrol tank, completely overhauled braking system and suspension, new electrical wiring and a rebuilt engine with a reground crankshaft, new cylinder sleeves bored to accept standard size pistons, new valves and valve guides, a new radiator core and a stainless steel exhaust system. Finished in black over Dove Grey with black wings and a gold coach line, GRJ 35 returned to America in 1980 where it remained before returning once more to Britain in 1991. Complete with the original Rolls-Royce build sheet and service sheets, assorted documentation and correspondence, this very handsome motor car - which, notably, carries one of just two surviving bodies by the Southern Motor Company - comes with its original registration of YT 5636, V5 registration document and a MoT test certificate valid for 12 months. An eminently useable and very rare Rolls-Royce 20HP offered in above average condition.