1926 | Rolls-Royce 20 HP

1926 Rolls-Royce 20hp Barker Landaulette
Chassis number: GOK48
Registration Number: YN9313
Delivered on 6th of March 1926, & bodied by Barker: ‘GOK 48’ as an undeniably elegant and well-proportioned Landaulette (Barker Body number 5290). Supplied new to a Mrs Stafford of the Hyde Park Hotel in Knightsbridge, the Rolls-Royce was acquired by its second owner a W. Shearer Esq of Messers Balfour & Co. in Chislehurst, Kent on the 12th of July 1934. Returning to London in 1937, the 20hp was purchased by a Dr Grayton Hume of the famous Harley Street, London. From here, unfortunately, the history of ‘GOK 48’ is unknown until 1967 when the 20hp was discovered Barn found & entrusted to Richard Moss who embarked on a two-year restoration. It was found that the frame was in extremely sound condition.
With the comprehensive restoration completed, ‘YN 9313’ embarked on its first outing to the 1969 Blenheim Palace rally, winning its class on the day. Additional award wins ensued with best-in-class awards at the 1970 and 1971 rally and a 2nd in class in 1972, before a further class win at Packington Hall in 1977. Offered for auction 1978 with Edwards, Bigwood & Bewlay at their Stratford-upon-Avon racecourse sale, ‘GOK 48’ achieved an auction record at the time, well-surpassing expectations to achieve £17,500. The award-winning did not cease here, with further class wins in 1980 and 1987, a second in class in 1985 and an elegance award in 1990.
Again, the beneficiary of comprehensive restoration work between 1989 and 1992 with invoices to the sum of approximately £42,000 on file and the spend believed to be considerably higher. Mechanical overhauls were supplied throughout as required, as well as a bodywork and paintwork restoration and full interior refresh with new glass division. The 20hp was then subtly upgraded by the then owner with an overdrive unit (in 1994) provided by Tim Payne Overdrive Designs Ltd. This car has been in the ownership of just two people from 1984 until 2022.
The car starts instantly & has one of the sweetest running 20hp engines we have experienced. The overdrive gives the car long legs & allows it to run easily at 55 MPH in modern traffic. Removing the floorboards reveals a Chassis in factory new condition. The rear Japanned leather hood folds easily open after releasing a pair of latches. To sum up. this is a car from long term ownership that has had an open cheque book approach to its care, restoration & maintenance.
It is currently owned as the personal car of James Black of James Balck restorations in Northern Ireland whom has serviced it, tuned it & put it in as good a running order as it is possible to do on one of these.
Please understand this is an exceptional example & runs simply beautifully.