1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 'Sports Enclosed Limousine' by Hooper
Delivered new to HRH Prince Prajadhipok, formerly King Rama VII of Siam

Registration No: KSL 439
Chassis No: GLG 38
MOT: Exempt

• An attractively styled late 20/25 bodied in Limousine style by Hooper
• Delivered new to HRH Prince Prajadhipok, formerly King Rama VII of Siam
• Supplied with a healthy history file with chassis cards, invoices for maintenance and more
• Offered for sale by the family of the late owner

Rolls-Royce introduced the 20/25 in 1929 as a successor to the outgoing 20hp. Though the newcomer was primarily aimed at owner-drivers, many examples were sold to customers with chauffeurs. Power came from an enlarged version of the straight-six unit used in the 20. Now of 3,699cc, it made for swifter acceleration and higher top speeds of up to 75mph. Bodywork for the 20/25 was to the taste of each individual customer, and Freestone & Webb, Gurney Nutting, Park Ward, Thrupp & Maberly, H. J. Mulliner and Hooper were among the many coachbuilders selected to clothe these fine motor cars. Nearly 4,000 20/25 chassis were produced, making it the company’s best-selling model between the wars.

This graceful 20/25, chassis GLG38, survives with its original bodywork in good condition and boasts impressive early provenance. It was ordered new by H.R.H. Prince Prajadhipok of Siam (1893-1941), who ruled as king from November, 1925, to March, 1935, when he abdicated following a coup and moved to England to live in Surrey, first at Knowle House in Cranleigh but moving to Glen Pammant in Virginia Water by the end of 1935. Prajadhipok ordered GLG38 with a “Sports Enclosed Limousine” body by Hooper, to be used in “the United Kingdom and occasionally abroad, mainly for touring.”

In 1940, ownership passed to J. Stein (or Stern) of London NW3, and in 1946 it was acquired by S. Box of Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, which produced some of the most popular British films of the early post-war period. Since then, the 20/25 has resided in America, Brazil and Japan. Advertised for sale in Ohio in 1968, it was painted a dark colour and carried its original ‘BXM 1’ number plates, but by 1983, when in São Paulo, it had been repainted apparently in its present ‘coffee and cream’ colours.

GLG38 was brought back into Britain by the Real Car Co. in 2000, and within weeks was bought by the late owner, a respected Rolls-Royce collector. There is evidence of a top-end overhaul in 2001, the rear wheel bearings were renewed in 2002 and a new honeycomb radiator core was fitted in 2003. In 2007, flashing indicators were installed, and most recently some paintwork refurbishment was started, although sadly the owner died while work was ongoing, so it will require completion. The car was driven regularly on Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club rallies in the 2000s, but some recommissioning will be required as it has not been on the road since 2018. It nevertheless remains in attractive condition, with original fittings including the bumpers, wheel discs and twin spare wheels still in place. With such estimable early ownership, it is an important survivor which promises to be a straightforward and rewarding project. It is offered for sale with historic V5s, copies of the Rolls-Royce build sheets, RREC literature, technical papers, many invoices from the 2000s and MOTs issued between 2000 and 2009.

PLEASE NOTE: The currently listed photographs are vendor supplied and show the car in 2014. More recent photographs will be acquired before the viewing date but for further information regarding the lot's current condition in advance of this, please contact the Specialist.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430