1930 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Sedanca de Ville
Coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly

Registration No: GC 2842
Chassis No: GX067
MOT: Exempt

• Handsome Sedanca de Ville coachwork by London based coachbuilders Thrupp & Maberly
• The subject of a comprehensive ten-year restoration completed around 1996
• Said to be “superb in all aspects”

Rolls-Royce introduced the 20/25 in 1929 as a successor to the outgoing 20hp model. Although the newcomer was primarily aimed at owner drivers, many examples were nevertheless sold to customers with chauffeurs. The four-speed manual gearbox featured the manufacturer's traditional right-hand change and was equipped with synchromesh on the top two ratios from 1932 onwards. The substantial chassis sported rigid axles front and rear suspended on semi-elliptic leaf springs. The four-wheeled braking was mechanically servo-assisted. Power came from an enlarged version of the straight-six OHV unit used in the 20hp. Now displacing 3,699cc, it made for swifter acceleration and a higher top speed of up to 75mph. The increased capacity of some 570cc gave useful extra power and allowed coachbuilders of the day to experiment and offer more intricate body styles without impeding performance.

As before, the choice of bodywork for each 20/25 was to the taste of each individual customer, and Freestone & Webb, Gurney Nutting, Park Ward, Thrupp & Maberly, Mulliner and Hooper were among the many coachbuilders selected to clothe these fine motorcars. Usefully faster than its 20hp predecessor, the model remained in production until 1936 by which time some 3,827 had been sold, making it the company’s best-selling model between the wars.

This rare example features particularly handsome Sedanca de Ville coachwork by London-based coachbuilders Thrupp & Maberly. It was originally supplied via Rootes Ltd of Piccadilly to a Mr Hillaby of Bournemouth being first registered in February 1930. The subject of a comprehensive ten-year restoration completed around 1996, it is now finished in Cream & Chocolate with Brown leather to the front compartment and Beige velour to the rear. Our vendor acquired GX 067 from a close friend who had purchased the car from a Sotheby’s auction in 1986 and who then set about restoring it to its former glory. Having seen gentle use since completion, it is now said to be “superb in all aspects” with “excellent” bodywork, paintwork, interior, transmission and engine.

A rare and elegant example of an 'O' Series 20/25 with coachwork bearing a close resemblance to GXO 31 (as illustrated in ‘Bird and Hallowes’), GC 2842 is undoubtedly worthy of close inspection.

For more information, please contact:
John Markey
john.markey@handh.co.uk
01428 607899