For Sale: 1929 Rolls-Royce Antique in Saint Louis, Missouri

The Rolls-Royce Twenty, named for its taxable horsepower, served as the smaller companion model to the flagship Silver Ghost and Phantom. The Twenty (also known as the 20 HP) was considerably smaller and lighter than its flagship siblings, intended as a more sporting and maneuverable chassis for the owner-driver. Rolls-Royce's 'small car' was priced accordingly lower than the Ghost or Phantom, although nothing about the Twenty should be misconstrued as "entry level." Power came via a refined 3,127 cc inline-six with overhead valves, paired with a center-change three-speed manual gearbox on early models, later updated to a much-improved 4-speed unit with the traditional Rolls-Royce right-hand shift. Per typical Rolls-Royce practice, rolling chassis were produced at the Derby works and shipped to independent coachbuilders for bodywork. With a total production of 2,940 units, the Twenty proved popular enough to spawn multiple successors, the 20/25 and 25/30.
Bodies on the Twenty were as widely varied as their owners, and while lesser-known coachbuilders did marvelous work on the chassis, it can be difficult to compete with the primaries, as this striking Park Ward-bodied 1929 Twenty, chassis GEN35, demonstrates. The handsome fixed-head coupe body was built to order for the car's first owner, William Calvert, Esq, a London-based barrister. This design is arguably among the most handsome bodies affixed to a 20 HP, with its flowing wings, blind quarters, and exquisite proportions tailored to the compact chassis. The car is pictured in its as-delivered configuration in Lawrence Dalton's superb reference book, Those Elegant Rolls-Royce, showing its original curved rear deck and a rear-mounted spare, which was eventually reconfigured to its current shape with a more commodious separate trunk.
The known history of GEN35 picks up in 1946 first with Dr. Dickson of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, transferring to W. Leslie Orr of Edinburgh in 1951. In 1957 it was offered by dealer Simmons of London, and acquired by William B. Bromell, an American diplomat stationed at the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. The accompanying history file includes correspondence from Mr. Bromell recounting his long-distance acquisition of the car, collecting it in Beirut, and embarking on an epic journey to Damascus. Fascinating black-and-white photos from Mr. Bromell depict his travels in the intrepid Rolls-Royce through his various posts in the Middle East and later, in Le Havre, France.
Many years later, and still in the care of William Bromell, the Rolls-Royce traveled to the United States. In the early 2000s, a restoration commenced, starting with the engine being rebuilt by the highly respected Frank Cooke of Vintage Garage, and from 2004 and 2006, the cosmetic and interior work was undertaken by fellow Rolls-Royce specialists, Enfield Auto Restorations of Connecticut. Following Mr. Bromell's passing, the car was sold by his estate in 2016, and the new owner continued refining the restoration to a high standard. Finally, in 2021, it was acquired by the most recent owner, who put the finishing touches on the restoration and showed the car with great pride. It received a Palmetto award at the Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance and scored 391 out of 400 points at the 2024 Rolls-Royce Owner's Club Annual Meet, for a First in Class, Early Small Horsepower. As offered, it remains in excellent order throughout, handsomely presented in deep green with black wings, over an expertly trimmed beige leather cabin. Wonderful details abound, including the toolbox mounted to the running board, a period style trunk, and authentically detailed engine compartment. A rare Iraq Automobile Association cloisonne grille badge and complementing Iraqi numberplates remain with the car and are included in the accompanying history file.
Beautifully restored to a level rarely seen on this model, this eminently charming Twenty is one of the finest examples we've had the pleasure of offering. The striking coachwork by the great Park Ward and its fascinating, globe-trotting history only enhances this small Rolls-Royce's outsized appeal.

Offers Welcome and Trades Considered