- Make: Rolls Royce
- Model: 20hp Hooper Saloon Limousine.
- Year: 1926
- Price: £52,000
1926 Rolls Royce 20hp Hooper Saloon Limousine.
Chassis Number GCK40
Registration number FL5003
Price new: Chassis only £1,111/15 shillings & 3d.
Currently being enjoyed by it's 4th Owner. GCK40 underwent a total & utter nut & bolt restoration under the stewardship of the late Dr Harry Watson after which it has covered just 6000 gentle miles. Watson kept a detailed journal of the restoration extending to over 90 foolscap pages minutely detailing everything done to the car. A meticulous man; He furthermore backed this up with a photographic record. The car also comes with a thick file of bills from the usual suspects for assorted internal & external parts to complete the restoration. Dr Watson was the car's custodian for 37 years.
The result of Dr Watsons labors was well rewarded with two consecutive wins in the Masters Class at the RREC national Rally & assorted first places elsewhere that the car has been shown.
A non division car, the front seats are of the bucket variety & are extremely comfortable & adjustable for tilt on the drivers side. Both front & rear seats are covered in unmarked medium blue hide of a very high quality; the hide extending to the door cards. Royal Blue carpets are fitted front & rear. Headlining is grey. All woodwork is perfect & the interior as a whole is a delightful place to spend time.
The exterior is painted in a vary pale grey over black with the paint all being excellent. The roof retains its correct rexine insert. Bonnet locks are fitted to both sides as are dual side-mount spare wheels. A wicker Fortnums' hamper (Regrettably empty) was fitted to the rear of the car when I drove it but does not go with the car. Fortnum & Mason may no doubt may be persuaded to provide a full replacement one.
Under the bonnet the engine bay is immaculate. A large nickel Klaxon horn is mounted to the firewall. The engine starts readily & idles beautifully. It will start most times "off the switch" indicating the excellence of the compressions. Having done under 6000 miles since rebuild it is barely run in & still feels tight as does the car as a whole. The car runs on either coil or magneto.
Coachwork is by Hoopers, often accorded the sobriquet "King of Coachbuilders" & rightly so as the quality of the body is beyond reproach. This is a car needing absolutely nothing & in as fine a condition as one could wish to find. It will provide years of trouble free motoring with nothing more required then correct routine servicing. I considered it an honour to be allowed to both photograph & drive the car.
The car may be viewed by prior appointment in Stratford upon Avon.
