Lot details Registration No: GJ 1806 Chassis No: GDP30 Mot Expiry: May 2013
A logical progression from Rolls-Royce's first 'owner driver' model, the 20hp, the 20/25hp was introduced in 1929. Near identical to its forebear, at least to begin with, the newcomer enjoyed a greater turn of outright speed (up to 75mph depending on the type of bodywork fitted), notably superior acceleration and improved economy thanks to an enlarged 3669cc version of the company's proven OHV straight-six engine. Fed by a single Rolls-Royce carburettor and carrying both magneto and coil ignition, the super-smooth powerplant was mounted in unit with a four-speed manual gearbox - this was operated via a traditional right-hand change and featured synchromesh on the top two ratios from 1932 onwards. Capable of supporting a wide variety of coachwork to personal taste, the 20/25hp's substantial ladder frame chassis was equipped with all-round semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension, four-wheel drum brakes and a mechanical servo. Progressively developed, the Rolls-Royce 20/25hp remained in production until 1936, by which time some 3,827 are thought to have been sold, making it the company's best-selling model between the wars. It quickly drew praise from the contemporary press too, with Autocar magazine noting that it had "great refinement of power, and a gentleness and quietness in doing its work, which makes results deceptive".
This delightful-looking 20/25 wears a four-door Saloon body by Weymann. It is colourfully finished in Red over Black and trimmed in Grey hide. It was apparently sold new to a W E Hargreaves on January 27th 1930 and exported to the USA, where it remained until repatriated by the vendor in 2005. He has applied to recover the original UK registration of 'GJ 1806' and currently rates the bodywork, paintwork, interior trim, straight-six engine and four-speed manual gearbox as all being in "good" order. It is intended that the Rolls-Royce should have a new MOT by the time of the sale.
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