Description

Imagine an era when a car was not merely transportation, but a bespoke, hand-crafted statement of prestige and power. The greatest motorcars of the 1920s combined engineering excellence with coachbuilding artistry, reserved only for the world's elite. To own one was to participate in an exclusive lineage of luxury and craftsmanship that demanded attention everywhere it went. When the finest chassis from Crewe met the renowned coachwork of a premier builder, the result was a rolling masterpiece that has remained a coveted collector's item for nearly a century. This 1926 Rolls-Royce Model 20 by Barker is your opportunity to capture the glamour and history of the Roaring Twenties.

The interior transports you back to a grander age, featuring tufted white leather upholstery that appears to be from a much older restoration. While showing signs of age with creases and some discoloration, there are no reported tears in the seats, and the overall look is quite good. The dashboard, gauges, and factory steering wheel appear original or original-style, maintaining an authentic vintage cockpit. Wood trim throughout adds to the old-world charm, though some of it is noted as brittle from age. As an open-air tourer, the car features a manually operated convertible top with a glass rear window.

Under the long bonnet sits the heart of this classic: a 3.1 Liter Inline 6-cylinder engine. The mechanicals appear all stock, very clean, and everything looks correctly hooked up. The car starts right up and idles smoothly, a testament to the longevity of Rolls-Royce engineering. The engine is paired with a non-synchronized 4-speed manual transmission and the car utilizes a traditional suspension setup with a straight axle and leaf springs up front and a solid axle with leaf springs in the rear. Stopping is handled by four-wheel drum brakes.

Highlights

• Coachwork is "by Barker," a premier coach builder for Rolls-Royce at the time
• 3.1 Liter Inline 6-cylinder engine
• 4-speed manual transmission
• Two-tone paint in deep maroon and black
• Classic real wire wheels with wide white wall tires
• Manual convertible top and a spare tire cover on the trunk
• Interior upholstered in tufted white leather
• Factory steering wheel and original-style gauges

Overall, this car is quite impressive for being nearly 100 years old, running and driving with ease. The paint and interior are showing their age, yet still present well, giving it a fantastic, lived-in patina. The inclusion of Barker coachwork makes this a special piece of motoring history. For the collector who appreciates true automotive heritage, this is a remarkable opportunity. Call now!