1928 Rolls-Royce 20hp
Abandoning its long-standing “one model” policy, Rolls-Royce introduced the Twenty in 1922 as a smaller, more affordable companion to the 40/50hp Silver Ghost.
The car addressed post-WWI demand for quality automobiles that didn’t require chauffeurs or expansive garages. Coachwork came from established British firms such as Barker & Co., with body styles ranging from formal saloons to sporty tourers.
Henry Royce incorporated several features influenced by American automotive practice, including unit construction of the engine and gearbox and Hotchkiss drive at the rear axle. The 3,127cc overhead-valve inline-six was the company’s first OHV powerplant.
An original three-speed gearbox with central ball change proved unpopular; by 1925, Rolls-Royce substituted a four-speed unit with right-hand gated shift, accompanied by four-wheel servo-assisted brakes.
Well-suited for both town use and extended Continental tours, the Twenty served owner-drivers who valued Rolls-Royce engineering without needing a Phantom-sized motorcar. Production ran through 1929, when the improved 20/25hp took its place.
Source
