Toby Wilson
Head of Department
LOT 227
The Stan West Collection, First registered to Sir Malcolm Campbell 1926 Rolls-Royce 20hp Tourer Coachwork by Maythorn Registration no. YE 1962 Chassis no. GYK 74
Sold for £54,050 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 227
The Stan West Collection, First registered to Sir Malcolm Campbell 1926 Rolls-Royce 20hp Tourer Coachwork by Maythorn Registration no. YE 1962 Chassis no. GYK 74
Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|18 September 2021, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood
The Stan West Collection, First registered to Sir Malcolm Campbell
1926 Rolls-Royce 20hp Tourer
Coachwork by Maythorn
Registration no. YE 1962
Chassis no. GYK 74
1926 Rolls-Royce 20hp Tourer
Coachwork by Maythorn
Registration no. YE 1962
Chassis no. GYK 74
*Originally bodied by Easter & Co
*In the immediately preceding ownership from 11 years
*Restored in the late 1990s
*Acquired by Stan West in 2008
*Maintained by P&A Wood and Priory Vintage Car Company
*In the immediately preceding ownership from 11 years
*Restored in the late 1990s
*Acquired by Stan West in 2008
*Maintained by P&A Wood and Priory Vintage Car Company
Footnotes
Up until the arrival of the 20hp Rolls-Royce in 1922, the Silver Ghost, with its impeccable Edwardian roots, was the Derby company's only model. But the new six-cylinder smaller car, of which this is a 1926 example, was specifically created for the very different post-war years. Announced in October 1922, the 20hp (3,127cc) model was the first Rolls-Royce to be equipped with overhead valves. The chassis price was £1,100 and the 20hp was destined to outsell both the Ghost and its Phantom I successor, and by the time production ceased in 1929 to make way for the 20/25 a total of 1,241 had been built. The design is interesting because it reflects Royce's preoccupation with contemporary American automotive trends. Thus the 'Twenty' features unitary construction of the engine and gearbox, the latter being a three-speed unit with a central ball change, together with 'Hotchkiss drive' rear axle. Favourably received as the Twenty was, its central gearchange was not well liked and when four-wheel, servo-assisted brakes were introduced in 1925, a four-speed 'box with right-hand, gated change replaced the original three-speeder.
Originally owned by Sir Malcolm Campbell, chassis number 'GYK 74' wears five-seat tourer coachwork by the Biggleswade-based firm of Maythorn, a coachbuilder mainly associated with Daimler, FIAT and Minerva, which also bodied other quality makes including Bentley and Rolls-Royce. The accompanying (copy) chassis cards confirm that the car was sold to H C Nelson Ltd of Jermyn Street, London SW1 for Malcolm Campbell, who appears to have owned it but briefly. It is noted that the purchaser was 'providing own coachwork', while the coachbuilder listed is the London-based Easter & Co, a short-lived firm best known for bodying the first Bentley chassis. The type of body is not recorded, though 'springs for a saloon seating 4/6' were specified. Subsequent owners listed include Sir Thomas Nicol KBE, Major-General Pitt-Taylor and, lastly, a Squadron Leader Horsman (from 8th January 1948).
In September 1997 the Rolls-Royce was acquired by the immediately preceding owner, Brian Sewell, who commenced its restoration 12 months later. Works undertaken included stripping the coachwork, wings and all six wheels back to bare metal, priming and repainting. The ash frame, which carries Maythorn's plate number '212', was found to be in superb condition. Only one door skin needed replacing. The electrical system was completely rewired including circuits for indicators, stoplight, existing front and replacement rear lights; all cables (of original braiding and colour code) being placed within original conduits. Completely re-upholstered in Swedish brown leather, the interior boasts renewed Wilton beige carpeting while the re-covered hood, tonneau cover and weather screens are all in double duck material to existing fittings. All brightwork was removed and re-nickeled, and the chassis repainted. Apart from a clean, the only engine work undertaken involved replacing the exhaust manifold and fitting a stainless steel exhaust system.
All the forgoing renovation was carried out by companies specialising exclusively in the restoration of prestige motor cars, the bulk being undertaken by John Foy of Barley, Herts with paintwork by Robert Ransley of Melbourn, Herts. The restoration was completed in 2000 and Mr Sewell enjoyed his Rolls-Royce for the next eight years before offering it for sale at Bonhams' auction at the R-REC's Annual Rally at Kelmarsh Hall in June 2008 (Lot 231). Purchased there by Stan West, the Rolls-Royce has since been maintained by P&A Wood and Priory Vintage Car Company, there being related bills on file totalling in excess of £41,000. The file also contains an old-style V5C document and a quantity of MoTs.
Additional information
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