Highlights

• Early Sports Saloon bodywork by Park Ward; converted from a Barkers Doctor's Coupé after the car was sent back to Rolls-Royce
• Subject to comprehensive restoration including engine rebuild, re-trimmed interior, bodywork respray and refurbished wheels
• Extensive history file with original build sheets and restoration photographs
• Recent mechanical work by a Rolls-Royce Specialist

The Appeal

The 1920s and '30s were something of a golden age for the art of coachbuilding. A far cry from the way we buy cars today, it was once the norm for motorists to buy their new vehicle as a rolling chassis, entrusting it to their motor body builder of choice in order to finish the car to their desired specifications. Much like today though, fashion trends move quickly and this would often result in cars being rebodied, even several times in the space of just a few years.

This 1929 Rolls-Royce 20 HP was originally bodied by Barkers as a Doctor’s Coupé and the vendor still has the build sheets that show this. However, it wasn't long before the 20 HP was sent back to Rolls-Royce and rebodied as an early example of the rakish Sports Saloon by Park Ward; bodywork that it retains to this day.

The vendor tells us:

"The car has been in my ownership since 2017, and was purchased from an ex mechanical engineer who gave it a thorough check over during his ownership, and before my purchase; and has carried out work in the interim for me.

"Unfortunately, due to other projects on the go I have covered very little mileage during my ownership, hence the force of sale. The car is mechanically perfect, starts on the button, holds a steady 180 degrees Fahrenheit during operation (even in the height of summer), and drives as expected for a well-cared for car. "

The Rolls has undergone extensive restoration, carried out in several stages over a number of years. While the vendor notes a couple of small jobs for the next owner to complete at their convenience, the car is to all intents and purposes, ready to use and enjoy. As the photographs attest, it presents beautifully throughout and is reportedly in very good driving order.

The History and Paperwork

• Built in 1929, originally as a Doctor’s Coupe Cabriolet by Barkers
• Original build sheets present
• Original plate to come with the vehicle
• Converted to an early sports saloon body by Park Ward in 1933
• Engine fully rebuilt in 1982 with parts supplied by Ristes Motor Company
• The car then passed through two further keepers until being purchased in the early 2000s by a new owner who embarked upon a full restoration
• Photographs of the car during the body restoration are present in the file
• In current ownership since 2017; purchased from an ex-mechanical engineer who gave it a thorough check over during his ownership and has continued to maintain the car during the vendor's tenure
• Exempt from road tax and MOT
• The odometer currently reads 29,132 miles
• Extensive history file with original build sheets, restoration photographs, and documentation from initial tests at Rolls-Royce onwards
• There are also several old invoices and MOT certificates
• The vendor points out a lovely period photograph of the car on a 1950s caravaning holiday in the New Forest (see gallery below)

The Condition

• Bodywork presents well with some characterful imperfections typical of coach-built cars; various edges suffer from slight chipping
• The car was stripped down to a bare chassis, where any welding and wood work carried out during the early 2000s
• Deep blue over silver paintwork with a purple hue and metallic fleck which really suits the car's lines
• The vendor remarks: "If I were to keep the car, I would recommend that a silver pin stripe is added down both sides on the raised sections to finish off the paintwork and break the blue up"
• Solid black wire wheels refurbished, with matching twin wing-mounted spares
• Tyres showing signs of age and would benefit from replacement
• Interior re-trimmed to a superlative standard with with deep blue overmats protecting the pale grey carpet since the work was completed

The Mechanics

• 3.1-litre straight-six
• Non-synchromesh four-speed gearbox, requiring skill to master but reportedly in very good working order
• Recent carburettor adjustment with slow and fast running jets replaced, costing over £700 in March 2022
• Brakes re-balanced, starter motor rebuilt, and worn universal joint repaired
• Suspension bushes noted to need attention, though king pins have been replaced
• Holds a steady 180 degrees Fahrenheit during operation, even in the height of summer
• The vendor notes that the Rolls-Royce would certainly benefit from regular use and is a joy to drive
  
  

BEFORE YOU BUY