1929→1936 Rolls-Royce 20/25
The 20/25 was sold alongside the Phantom II and was offered to drivers as smaller alternative.
It was the successor to the Rolls-Royce Twenty and in many respects the 20 and 20/25 were identical except for the larger 3699 engine.
It was the successor to the Rolls-Royce Twenty and in many respects the 20 and 20/25 were identical except for the larger 3699 engine.
The first 20/25 chassis was introduced in 1929, with some 1800 being made until the design was replaced in 1936 by the 25/30.
Throughout the prodcution of the 20/25 chassis, the carburetors, brakes, clutch, spring dampers and ignition were improved. On early examples, the radiator shutters were operated by hand. After 1932, a thermostat controlled device operated the radiator air-flow automatically. In 1932 shock absorbers were added to the car which became adjustable in 1934.
It is interesting to note that the 20/25 was sold at 1 100 pounds which was the same price as the earlier 20 and the later 25/30. To stay profitable, Rolls-Royce employed the use of outside suppliers during the late production run of the 20/25. Before this time, only electrical components had been outsourced. Borg & Beck supplied clutches while steering boxes were made by Marleson on late 20/25s. This clearly shows Rolls was trying to keep production costs down at the expense of internal quality control. Such moves helped maintain the price of 1 100 pounds which held from 1922 with the Twenty until 1938 with the 25/30.
In Detail
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1929 – 1936 |
| built at | England |
| price £/td> | £1,100 |
| engine | Inline-6 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | Pushrod Operated OHV, |
| displacement | 3699 cc / 225.7 in³ |
| bore | 82.55 mm / 3.25 in |
| stroke | 114.3 mm / 4.5 in |
| compression | 5.75:1 |
| power | 18.9 kw / 25.3 bhp |
| specific output | 6.84 bhp per litre |
| body / frame | Steel over Pressed Steel Frame |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 600×19 |
| rear tires | 600×19 |
| front brakes | Drums w/Servo Assist |
| rear brakes | Drums w/Servo Assist |
| steering | Worm & Nut |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Semi Elliptic Springs |
| wheelbase | 3277 mm / 129.0 in |
| front track | 1422 mm / 56.0 in |
| rear track | 1422 mm / 56.0 in |
| transmission | Four-Speed Manual |
| gear ratios | 3.73:1, 2.33:1, 1.49:1, 1.00:1 |
| final drive | 4.55:1 |
| top speed | ~122.3 kph / 76.0 mph |
Auction Sales History
1932 ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25 CONVERTIBLE VICTORIA Coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly GFT.67 – sold for $115,500 Fewer than 21,000 original miles. Over the past several years, this British convertible benefitted from a thorough refurbishment, including a new convertible top, upgraded wiring, and refreshed paint and brightwork. The older restoration retains a lovely patina throughout. This impressive motorcar is presented with an extensive history file, including build sheets and importation and sale documents and its original tools, which fit tidily beneath the front seats.
Auction Source: 2015 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams
Auction Source: 2014 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams
Auction Source: The Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company
Auction Source: The 2013 Scottsdale Auctions by Gooding & Company
1934 Rolls-Royce 20-25 Oxborrow & Fuller by Vanden Plas – sold for €135,000
Chassis GWE6 is one of only four cars ever produced by coachbuilder Vanden Plas for Oxborrow & Fuller featuring their attractive continental tourer bodywork. Assigned the body number 3313 by Vanden Plas, the bodywork alone cost some £320 at the time of purchase in July 1934. The car is also pictured on page 184 of Brian Smith’s book Vanden Plas: Coachbuilders. GWE6, it is believed in the 1960s, was shipped from the UK to the United States, where it resided until recent years, being registered in the New York and Massachusetts areas.
Accompanying this rare and extremely practical touring Rolls-Royce are numerous invoices and estimates for work carried out throughout its period in the United States amounting to many tens of thousands of dollars, maintaining the car and carrying out servicing. Upon its return to the UK, this rare and important Rolls has undergone an extensive restoration, including a complete strip and repaint, making good of all panel work, reconditioned fuel tank, chrome work, complete replacement of the upholstery, hood, hood bag and tonneau cover, servicing and recommissioning to bring this important Rolls back into its resplendent showroom condition.
This sporting Rolls-Royce offers both open touring motoring with the sophistication of glass wind-up windows, unique to its design. Accompanying the vehicle is a complete touring tool kit. Finished in its exquisite colours of dove grey with ebony wood work, burgundy hide interior, black hood and matching burgundy leather hood bag. Certainly one of the most attractive touring Rolls-Royces of its time.
Auction Source: Coy’s 2010 Legende et Passion Auction
