1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Sedancalet de Ville

Lot details
Registration No: AXH 158
Chassis No: GHA 9
Mot Expiry: Exempt

- Barker bodied and the only 20/25 of its type in existence

- Commissioned in 1933 by the Greek government

- Engine overhauled by Brunt's of Silverdale (Staffordshire)

Further info:

"The driver who has never handled a Rolls-Royce is likely to want to know wherein it differs from the general run of motor cars. That is a point it is impossible to deal with adequately in few words, but the principal impressions concern the extreme delicacy of control, the amazing flexibility on top gear, the silence and quality of the acceleration, and the fact that the engine is as quiet and smooth when the car is travelling at the maximum as it is at lower speeds." (Rolls-Royce 20/25hp Road Test by The Autocar, May 29th 1931).

Introduced in 1929 as a stablemate to the larger Phantom II, the 20/25 was a natural development of its established 20hp model - Rolls-Royce's first 'owner driver' offering. Though very similar to its predecessor, the newcomer enjoyed a greater turn of acceleration and top speed, thanks to an increase in engine capacity from 3127 to 3669cc, which also brought the bonus of a reduction in fuel consumption. The OHV straight-six engine drove via a dry plate clutch to a four-speed manual gearbox equipped with traditional right-hand change (and from 1932 onwards, synchromesh on the top two ratios). The substantial ladder frame chassis was fitted with semi-elliptic leaf-sprung suspension all-round and servo-assisted four-wheel drum brakes. The 20/25hp remained in production until 1936, by which time some 3,827 examples had been sold, making it Rolls-Royce's best-selling model of the period.

Chassis GHA 9 was commissioned in 1933 by the Greek government. The country had been without a monarch since the late 1920s, but with moves afoot to restore King George II (the first cousin of HRH, The Duke of Edinburgh) to the throne, it was felt a suitable motorcar should be set in train. Barker was the chosen coachbuilder and the elected body style that of Open-drive Laundaulette - which in the Barker parlance of the time translated to Sedancalette de Ville.

The chassis cost of £849 9s 9d was duly paid and the frame delivered to Barker & Co on November 21, 1933. It appears from the paperwork supplied with the vehicle that it was delivered to the Greek Embassy in Brussels via Ostend on February 15, 1934 - a voyage the factory chassis log informs us was organised through the AA. From the other items of accompanying paperwork we learn that the Panorama Bay Motor Company of Poole in Dorset sold 'AXH 158' (the car's original and current registration number) in 1990. Four years later it was apparently treated to a degree of restoration, not least a £1,947 engine overhaul courtesy of Brunt's of Silverdale in Staffordshire.

The vendor acquired the Rolls-Royce in 2003, at which point the odometer was reading an unwarranted 35,860 miles (it now stands at 41, 985 miles). The following year he treated the 20/25 to new swivel pins and stainless steel exhaust system and currently describes the car's mechanical condition as 'very good', however some attention may be needed to the front nearside shock absorber. Apparently very original (and complete down to its 'Goshawk' scuttle plate), 'AXH 158' has been confirmed by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiast's Club as the only 20/25 of its type in existence. Its appearance on the market therefore provides an exciting opportunity for Rolls-Royce aficionados everywhere to tender for a unique and desirable motorcar of fascinating history.