1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25hp Close-Coupled Coupe

Lot details
Registration No: UE 9773
Chassis No: GXO80
Mot Expiry: July 2010

"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).

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 speed thanks to an enlarged 3669cc 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 (the latter operated via a traditional right-hand change). Capable of supporting a wide variety of coachwork, 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.

A notably early car (production began at chassis GXO 11), this particular example - chassis number `GXO 80' - was supplied new via dealer George Heath Ltd of Birmingham to E. Jefferson Esq. of The Manor House, Knowle, Warwickshire. Judging by its flamboyant Park Ward coachwork, the Rolls-Royce's first owner - a scion of the Birmingham-based Kennicke Jefferson printing empire - was a man of somewhat sporting tastes. Indeed, close scrutiny of the accompanying copy build cards reveals that the 20/25hp was specified with a raked steering column and Lucas dipping reflectors to its headlights. While, the same source also contains the intriguing phrase: "Special attention to be given to performance". First registered on January 13th 1930, chassis `GXO 80' is known to have remained in Jefferson's keeping until the mid 1930s but thereafter its ownership history is unclear.

Passing through the hands of Barrie Foster in the late 1960s and garagiste George Rhodes during the early 1970s, a photocopied continuation logbook on file lists the Close Coupled Coupe's colour at the time as green. Currently liveried in burgundy over black with brown leather upholstery, the Rolls-Royce is variously described by the vendor as being in "reasonably good" (coachwork), "serviceable" (engine), "fair" (paintwork, interior trim) or "good" (four-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment) condition. While, he further comments that (a) "there is some slight paint lift due to surface oxidisation of the aluminium, (b) "the front carpet is worn due to age" and (c) "new sunroof slide rails are required" (though, the panel still opens). With its generous glass area, bustle back and sweeping wings, the 20/25hp certainly does not want for road presence.

Pleasingly retaining its original engine (number `N6R'), chassis `GXO 80' has the makings of a very worthwhile project. Notable as one of the earliest 20/25hp cars to have survived, it is made doubly so by its unusual coachwork. Worthy of close inspection, this sporting Rolls-Royce is offered for sale with the aforementioned paperwork, MOT certificate valid until July 2010 and historic class (free) road tax.