1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Sports Saloon

Lot details
Registration No: AWM 5
Chassis No: GFT2
Mot Expiry: June 2016

- Believed unique fastback coachwork by Barker

- Exhibited during October 1931 Salon d'Automobiles, Grand Palais, Paris

- Purchased in 1933 by the then-Marquis de Portago (father of Alfonso de Portago)

- Subject to a painstaking two and a half year restoration to exacting standards completed in 2011

- 2012 Best in Class and Best in Show at RREC Annual Rally

- 2013 Best in Show at NEC Classic Motor Show

- Known as "Arabella", she is finished in her original colour scheme of Green and Cream

We are indebted to the vendor for his assistance in producing the following description:

My quest for a 20/25 began in 2007. After inspecting many cars, I heard rumours of a Barker bodied example in Lincolnshire. Having met the owner, I had to accept she was not for sale! However, I continued to visit on a regular basis and eventually, in May 2008, he agreed to sell.

By now an RREC member I began researching the car's history. The first thing of consequence was that the engine plate was in French and the fuel gauge and speedometer were calibrated metrically. All became clear when I obtained copies of the build sheets containing the magic words "Paris Show Car" therein. My enthusiasm hit the roof! Having located photocopies of the October 1931 editions of Motor and Autocar it was evident she had two tone paintwork but, of course, the illustrations were in black and white! They did reveal, however, that the top half of the car was darker than the bottom. They also showed she originally sported wheel discs and a sunroof. The rear bumper had been remanufactured by the previous owner who made an excellent match to the original.

We decided to progress with the body repairs, keeping an eye for traces of the original colour scheme. I remember our first sight of this as if it was yesterday - green and cream! It took time to be satisfied with a colour match, but after weeks of experimentation we felt it was perfect.

I was lucky to be using a small body shop outside Grantham whose approach was as fastidious and perfectionist as my own. The chromework was re-plated and the bonnet hinges remade in stainless steel because, having seized, they caused it to distort when opened. In removing the hinges the original rivets had to be sacrificed. I purchased replacements but they stood too proud. A retired friend heard of the problem and offered to machine over 400 rivets so their profile matched the originals! He also remade the Barker patented dipping system in stainless steel, putting a grease nipple in the concentric tubes that operate it. At the same time all the dome headed coach bolts on the body were remade in stainless steel. A commercial supplier supplied new wheel discs at enormous cost which were painted to match the body. The original windscreen had delaminated so a new one was obtained. The chrome went back on, the locks were laboriously repaired and the headlamps sent to Sheffield to be refurbished and re-plated. It was time to tackle the trim.

Around 1960 'Arabella' (as she is known) had been sold to America spending the next 25 years in Florida. Apart from painting her copper bronze, discarding the wheel discs, and fitting Buick bumpers, the hot weather had played havoc with the interior. The original horse hide leather had become dry and cracked and subsequently re-upholstered in vinyl. Fortunately the original leather was left so upon stripping the vinyl away it was revealed. A small tannery in Southern Spain, who tanned leather by hand in a non-industrialised way, were able to colour match using cow hide instead of the original horse hide. I had tried to locate horse hide but was unable to find a supplier.

I already knew a trimmer whose work was of a very high standard and was confident he would maintain the standards already achieved. I wanted the seats upholstered in a 'baggy' way, replicating a 'gentleman's club chair' and am delighted with the outcome. The original stuffing of horse hair and latex was re-used. There were no carpets or headlining present so we chose colours that suited the colour scheme. New door cards were made from marine ply and upholstered to match the interior.

Basically the engine and drive train were in good condition, but some original equipment had been "plundered" over time and a number of items were needed to restore the engine compartment. The most difficult were the under trays, which had disappeared, and the starter solenoid, which had been replaced with a modern version. The engine had been worked on by the previous owner and already boasted an aluminium cylinder head and re-metalled bearings. The carburettor proved unreliable and difficult to set up but the addition of new needles solved the problem and she has run perfectly ever since. The engine compartment was tidied and all electrics re-wired using correct colours. After steam cleaning the chassis and re-painting she was much admired by all who saw her. I have been ably assisted throughout by members of the RREC who were always on hand to offer advice and assistance when necessary.

During the course of the restoration, which lasted two and a half years, research into the car's history proved very interesting. The first owner, who saw it at the Paris Show in the Grand Palais was a well-known enthusiast for the marque, Captain JF Kruse MC. He owned more than 20 Rolls-Royces in his time and bought 'Arabella' for his wife - a fashionable young lady who enjoyed visiting the clubs of London.

The next owner, the Marquis de Portago, who bought the car in 1933, was a personal friend of Captain Kruse having met on the polo pitch at the Hurlingham Club. In 1928, he had had an only son named Alfonso, whose mother used the car until it was disposed of just pre-war. Alfonso became a famous racing driver before his death in the 1957 Mille Miglia.

The car spent the war in storage in Montpelier Square, London, emerging in the ownership of another Captain - Captain Drummond MC, a member of the banking family and a distant relative of the Queen Mother.

Around 1960 she was sold to an American Serviceman based at Bicester who shipped it to Florida. He registered her '1931 RR', repainted her copper bronze and over 20 years allowed her to descend into dilapidation. She was spotted in Miami and brought back to the UK by Porters of Kensington and, shortly afterwards, c.1985, acquired by the retired motor engineer in Lincolnshire from whom I bought her in 2008.

Built as a 'one off' for the Paris Show of 1931, she remains unique although rumours exist of a similar body built on a Phantom chassis.

Since completion 'Arabella' has travelled c.16,000 miles. The first ride overseas was to the Classic Le Mans meeting, then a tour was made under the auspices of the "Club d'Auto" around the Champagne vineyards of Epernay. We then attended the Circuit des Remparts at Angouleme before being invited to attend the British Car Club Meeting in St Moritz where we participated in the Rally, negotiating two Alpine Passes of seven and eight thousand feet before coming second in the Concours.

She has made two trips to the Goodwood Revival and in 2012 she won Best in Class and Best in Show at the RREC Annual Rally at Rockingham. The achievement shortly afterwards of winning 'Best in Show' at the 2013 NEC Classic Car Show is a fitting testimonial to the craftsmen and friends who have helped to create the masterpiece that is the first Rolls-Royce to win this coveted award.