Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tues 22nd September 2026 from 12pm
Auction: Weds 23rd September 2026 12pm
Location: Kelham Hall Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
Registration No: DS 7994
Chassis No: GRK 3
MOT: Exempt
The epitome of a 1920s Town Carriage (aping Kellner’s similar design on the Hispano-Suiza H6B)
Supplied new to Monsieur Cravens in Paris and later resident in America
Part of a notable private collection since 1990
Previously featured in the films ‘Gosford Park’ and ‘Austenland’
Introduced in 1922, the Rolls-Royce Twenty was a more radical design than its 40/ 50hp Silver Ghost sibling. Based around a 10ft 9in wheelbase ladder-frame chassis equipped with semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, rear-wheel brakes and a ‘Hotchkiss Drive’ back axle, the newcomer was powered by a notably smooth 3127cc OHV straight-six engine. Priced at £1, 100 in bare chassis guise, the Twenty was not only less expensive than the Silver Ghost but also lighter and more responsive to drive.
Paris during the Roaring Twenties was abuzz with the likes of Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Amedeo Modigliani and Josephine Baker. For those wishing to sample the French capital’s cultural delights there were few better ways of being chauffeured around than in one of Kellner’s decidedly elegant ‘Coupe de Ville’ creations. Unashamedly passenger-focused, the Parisian coachbuilder’s design was a true town carriage that harked back to the horsedrawn era. A motor show favourite, it graced Bentley, Bugatti, Hispano Suiza and Rolls-Royce chassis. According to John Fasal’s authoritative tome ‘The Rolls-Royce Twenty’, chassis GRK3 was supplied new in France to a Mr Cravens. A comparatively early example with the novel, centre-change, three-speed manual gearbox, it was bodied by Kellner as one of their revered Coupe de Villes. Resident on the other side of The Pond for a time, the Rolls-Royce was imported to the UK during 1989. Entering the current family ownership the following year, the Twenty has made numerous film and television appearances over the past thirty-six years including ‘Gosford Park’ (2001) and ‘Austenland’ (2013). Nicely detailed throughout with a two-piece windscreen, side-mounted spare wheel, glazed division and opera lamps etc, chassis GRK3 remains a notably elegant machine. Starting readily during our recent photography session but in need of further recommissioning after a decade or so of inactivity, this sought after Coupe de Ville is offered for sale with V5C Registration Document and sundry paperwork.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people)
