The Rolls-Royce Twenty built between 1922 and 1929 was Rolls-Royce’s “small car” for the 1920s and was produced alongside the 40/50 Silver Ghost and the successor to the 40/50, the Phantom.

Quickly nicknamed the Baby Rolls Royce, it was designed to allow the company’s customers to drive their own cars, particularly in city traffic, where the compact car was certainly more at ease than the huge Silver Ghost cars.

It was truly the first production Rolls Royce compact car and was also perfectly suited to long journeys.

The Rolls-Royce Twenty represents one of the most significant chapters in the history of this legendary British manufacturer. Introduced in 1922 as a smaller, more accessible alternative to the imposing Silver Ghost, the Twenty was designed for the professional and successful middle-class motorist who demanded the same exceptional standards of engineering, refinement and craftsmanship for which Rolls-Royce had become internationally renowned. Despite costing approximately 40% less than a Silver Ghost, the Twenty was built to the same exacting standards, offering remarkable quality in a more manageable and practical motor car.

The Twenty was conceived under the personal direction of Sir Henry Royce, whose philosophy was to spend as much on construction as could be wisely justified, without unnecessary extravagance. With a chassis price of £1,100 at its introduction, the model appealed particularly to doctors, solicitors, dentists and successful businessmen who often preferred to drive themselves rather than employ a chauffeur. Its smooth six-cylinder engine, beautifully engineered chassis and exceptional road manners made it one of the most accomplished light luxury motor cars of its generation.

The example presented here is a particularly charming New Zealand-new Rolls-Royce Twenty, retaining an appealing degree of originality and just the right amount of patina. Beautifully presented inside and out, this is a motor car that wears its age with dignity and character, rather than appearing excessively restored. Importantly, its original Certificate of Registration is available, recording H. W. White as its first New Zealand owner, providing a valuable connection to the car’s early history.

Vehicle Details & Specifications

• Model: Rolls-Royce Twenty
• Chassis Number: GF41
• Engine Number: G693
• Original Registration: New Zealand new
• First Registered Owner: H. W. White
• Documentation: Original Certificate of Registration available
• Body Style: Four-door saloon
• Drive Configuration: Rear-wheel drive
• Transmission: Three-speed manual gearbox
• Overall Length: Approximately 4,521 mm (178 inches)
• Wheelbase: Approximately 3,277 mm (129 inches)
• Factory-Quoted Maximum Speed: Approximately 105 km/h (65 mph), depending on coachwork and specification

Condition & Presentation

This delightful Rolls-Royce Twenty presents in very nice overall condition, with a wonderful balance of preservation, authenticity and period character. Its exterior retains the elegant proportions and understated dignity associated with the marque, while the interior is equally appealing, reflecting the craftsmanship and quality of materials expected of a Rolls-Royce.

Particular highlights include:

• New Zealand-new example with documented early ownership.
• Original Certificate of Registration available, an important piece of historical documentation.
• Attractive four-door saloon coachwork with classic Rolls-Royce styling.
• Very nice overall condition, both inside and out.
• Beautifully aged appearance with just the right amount of patina.
• A motor car that retains a genuine sense of history and character.
• Renowned Rolls-Royce engineering and craftsmanship.
• Desirable early example of the marque’s smaller, owner-driver luxury motor car.
• A wonderful candidate for vintage motoring events, club gatherings and leisurely touring.

Engineering Excellence & Historical Significance

Although smaller and lighter than the Silver Ghost, the Twenty was an exceptionally capable motor car for its time. Designed to accommodate both open and enclosed coachwork, including bodies seating up to six occupants, it offered impressive flexibility and refinement. At a time when cruising at 40 mph was considered particularly brisk, the Twenty was capable of exceeding 60 mph in suitable form, demonstrating the sophistication of its engineering. Continued development throughout production further improved the model’s performance and usability.

The Twenty also earned considerable praise from contemporary motoring enthusiasts and commentators. Sir Max Pemberton, biographer of Henry Royce and himself an owner of a Twenty, regarded the model as one of the world’s great motor cars, placing it alongside the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Such recognition reflects the extraordinary reputation that Rolls-Royce had established for producing motor cars of exceptional quality, reliability and refinement.

A Wonderful Piece of Rolls-Royce Heritage

Today, surviving Rolls-Royce Twenty motor cars are highly regarded for their historical importance, elegant coachwork and enduring engineering qualities. Their appeal lies not simply in the prestige of the famous double-R badge, but in the opportunity to experience motoring from an era when craftsmanship, attention to detail and mechanical excellence were paramount.

This particular example, with its New Zealand history, original registration documentation and beautifully preserved character, offers an appealing opportunity for the discerning vintage motor car enthusiast. Its sympathetic presentation and charming patina give it an authenticity that is increasingly appreciated by collectors who value originality and provenance over excessive restoration.

A distinguished and characterful British vintage motor car, this Rolls-Royce Twenty represents a wonderful opportunity to become the next custodian of an important piece of motoring history.

New Zealand Sales
Unless otherwise stated, vehicles sold for use in New Zealand will be supplied with a new Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and 12 months New Zealand registration at the time of sale.

Transport & Shipping
New Zealand transport and worldwide shipping can be arranged on the Buyer’s behalf and at the Buyer’s cost and risk. Any freight, shipping, insurance, customs charges, duties, taxes, import costs, certification or compliance costs are the responsibility of the Buyer unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Export Sales
For vehicles purchased for export, the Buyer is responsible for determining and satisfying all import, registration, certification, compliance, tax and regulatory requirements applicable in the destination country.

Viewing
All vehicle inspections and viewings are strictly by appointment only.

Applicable Law
All sales are subject to applicable New Zealand law. Nothing in these Conditions of Sale excludes or limits any statutory rights or obligations that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

For more information about this vehicle, please contact us Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 6:00pm (New Zealand Standard Time) on +64 (0) 3 310-6485. Alternatively, you may email us at [email protected] anytime, or contact us through the form below.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak.

NOTIFICATION AS TO NATURE OF GOODS IN TERMS OF THE CONSUMER GUARANTEES ACT 1993

Waimak Group Ltd is a New Zealand registered company and accepts that the vehicle being sold must be of “acceptable quality” in terms of section 7 of the New Zealand Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (the Act) having regard to “the nature of the goods”. Waimak Group Ltd is not aware of any specific defects with the vehicle, however (a) such a vehicle being a classic vehicle may have mechanical breakdowns, electrical failures at inconvenient times and maintenance costs being part of and parcel of ownership of a classic vehicle; (b) reliability is a combination of the particular nature of the classic vehicle, how it is being driven, how it has been maintained, and to a certain extent luck; (c) because of the age of the vehicle, and its propensity to rust, it is likely that the vehicle would have been fully or partially restored, or at least repainted at some point in its life, maybe even more than once. Waimak Group Ltd does not know, and cannot give advice on how good any restoration work on the vehicle had been.

The Purchaser acknowledges that the vehicle is being sold as a classic car; that in terms of the Act and the nature of the goods, the vehicle is an old car, bike or boat, that may have visual and hidden faults, unlike a new motor vehicle.

The Purchaser is encouraged to personally fully inspect the vehicle and also to have the vehicle inspected, and fully assessed by an experienced, independent, specialist garage - before committing to purchase. While the Purchaser is entitled to rely on statements given by Waimak Group Ltd as being correct, where goods such as vehicles are concerned, with so many moving parts and rust being an issue with older vehicles; a Purchaser who chooses not to seek independent professional assistance when assessing the quality of what they propose to buy is considered as buying at their own risk, and if the vehicle then turns out to be of less than the represented quality, or not up to the Purchaser's expectation, or in the Purchaser opinion not fit for purpose; then the Purchaser is considered to have contributed to their own loss and should not expect any refunds or betterment from Waimak Group Ltd.

The Purchaser acknowledges that they have read and fully understand this notification and the nature of a car which is many years old.