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2006 Melbourne International Motor Show Auction
Lot
26

1923 Rolls-Royce 20 HP 'Waring Bros' Tourer

$33,000

Sold

Specifications

Engine In-line 6-cylinder, 3127cc
Gearbox 3-speed manual
Body Work Open Tourer
Colour Yellow

Description

This lot is no longer available

Due to the prevailing economic conditions of the day, Rolls-Royce introduced a smaller model in 1922 to sit along side the classic Silver Ghost in the form of the 20hp and it became the first in a long and successful line of Baby Rolls-Royces produced up to the War. The 20hp, or Twenty as it is often described, was an innovative design featuring a 3.1-litre six-cylinder monobloc engine with a one-piece detachable cylinder head made in unit with a three-speed centre-change gearbox mounted in a 129-inch wheelbase chassis with semi-elliptic suspension front and rear.

Distinguishable visually from the bigger Silver Ghost by the horizontal shutters on the radiator, the Twenty had been intended by its makers for light tourer coachwork for the owner/driver but all too often they were burdened by the additional weight of cumbersome Limousines, Sedancas and Landaulettes.

On the other hand, the press and customers alike were enamoured with the impressively smooth new engine, silent running and superb build quality. Rolls-Royce had successfully introduced a new breed of clientele to 'The Best Car in the World'. In total some 2,885 examples of the Twenty were introduced before its replacement, the 20/25hp, was launched in 1929 and quite a number made their way to Australia when new.