1927 Rolls-Royce 20 HP Woody Estate
“ An exciting opportunity to acquire a unique piece of RREC History. ”
Being offered as part of our curated auction in conjunction with the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club Annual Rally at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire on the 26th – 28th June’26.

Background
While Rolls-Royce's 'single model' policy had been an outstanding success, the end of World War I marked the start of a recession in the motor trade,  prompting the introduction of a smaller, cheaper car to be built alongside the Silver Ghost.

Driven as much by the rise of the owner/driver as much as a shortage of resources, Henry Royce's new design incorporated a number of modern features such as overhead valve-gear, a detachable cylinder head, and a one-piece block. Displacing 3127cc, contemporary road tests suggest 40mph is a sensible cruising speed, with 60mph being “still smooth and only very slightly more noisy.”

The gearbox was a three-speed, centre-change unit that sent its power to the rear axle via a standard propshaft with universal joints at either end. 

Only the rear axle was braked initially with four-wheel, servo-assisted brakes being introduced in 1925, the same year the gearbox was updated to four speeds and the gear lever moved to the driver’s right-hand side.

Suspended by four half-elliptic springs, the chassis cost £1,100, or around £55,000 in today’s money, plus whatever the coachbuilder of their choice charged to fit a body – and customers could choose from a bewildering range of companies including big names such as Park Ward, Thrupp & Maberly, Mulliner and Hooper – and Barker & Co. Ltd, the company that first built this one.

Introduced in 1922, the 20HP stayed in production until 1929, by which time 2,940 cars had been built.

Overview
We can do no better than to use the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club description of the car – after all, who is better placed to explain the car’s history than the club that owns it?

“The chassis was delivered to Barker & Co. Ltd on January 5th 1927 for the fitting of an open tourer body on the orders of The Clyde Automobile Co Ltd acting on behalf of the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Moray, Kinfaune Castle, Perth. The completed car was delivered to Clyde Auto on March 31st of the same year. The total sale price was £1100.

“The car was later sold to the Hon. James Start in London in the summer of 1930 and purchased by members of the RREC, Mr & Mrs Mitchell in 1957 sporting its current shooting brake body. Little is known of the building of the shooting brake body by A R McCleod & Son.

“The car has been extensively modernised since original design, having an extra bench seat fitted which gives it more capacity to carry 8 people. The vehicle enjoyed many trips abroad whilst owned by the Mitchells including to Barcelona in 1959.

“This stunning car was bequeathed to the RREC in 2021 and has spent the next two years being restored to an excellent standard. In September 2023 the car was delivered to the RREC Headquarters at Hunt House in Paulerspury, Northants where it is proudly displayed.”

Paperwork in the history file gives this additional information:

“The car was purchased by its present owner in July 1957, now wearing a shooting brake body and having been extensively ‘modernised’, probably in the late 40's in order to gain a 'C' or commercial licence and so access to ‘red’ petrol. 

“It carried three rows of simple, easily-removable bench seats giving capacity for eight persons but since it could be configured for 4/5 or 2/3 occupants it was a very versatile vehicle. With the two rearmost benches removed there was ample room for sleeping and our first long trip was to Barcelona in 1959, the car providing us with all necessary accommodation and behaving perfectly over more than 2000 miles. 

“Little is known about the builder of the present body. The name McCleod was given to me in the 60's when we called in at the little fishing port of Helmsdale on the northeast coast of Scotland and the car was recognised. Apparently, they were a firm of boatbuilders, and the body exhibits the rugged strength of sound, if unsophisticated craftsmanship. In these days of congested, stressful driving she adds a sense of occasion to even the shortest trip and a sense of achievement on our return from forays further afield and, of course, she is always a pleasure to drive.”

And there’s more:

“The previous owner, from whom we purchased the car was an army major, and could hardly be described as a Rolls-Royce enthusiast since he informed us that his reason for selling was in order to buy a 150cc Velocette motorcycle. 

“Needless to say, we have never regretted acquiring GHJ 15. She has served us well for 50 years, tackling all manner of jobs when, for the first seven years, she was our everyday car; we could hardly afford even the petrol, and a big repair bill would have been a disaster. 

“Nowadays she leads a less arduous but still busy life and is truly a part of the family. In these days of congested, stressful driving she adds a sense of occasion to even the shortest trip and a sense of achievement on our return from forays further afield and, of course, she is always a pleasure to drive. 

“Henry has truly earned our allegiance.”

As well as appearances in the club magazine and on the RREC’s stand at the 2023 Classic Motor Show at the NEC, the Woody has also appeared in the 1989 film Danny, The Champion of the World.

Wearing the registration number ‘NS 2435’, we are delighted to offer this charming shooting brake for sale, something that last happened back in 1957! 

Estimate: £15,000 - £20,000

View current bid price HERE