1935 Rolls Royce 20/25 Limousine
The Rolls-Royce 20/25 was an entry level model built between 1929 and 1936. Designed as a successor to the highly successful 20hp, the 20/25 was much better to drive in terms of comfort and usability. The model became very popular and effectively helped the brand stay afloat after the Great Depression and established the name as one of the world's great automobile producers. Different body styles were available; the customer being able to choose between custom-made coachwork from selected coach builders or an inventory body style. During the seven-year production run, a total of 3,827 20/25s were built, an impressive number by the standards of the 1930s. These cars proved to be extremely robust and the fact that over 70% of all 20/25s produced are said to still be on the road today is a testament to that.
Offered for consignment, a 1935 Rolls Royce 20/25 which is a Mulliner bodied automobile that sits on chassis GJC-6 and has a long wheelbase. After completion, the car went to the purchaser Mr. G. Embrey of Covington, England. A few owners/collectors later, it found its way from England to Texas and then Louisiana, it went for a complete restoration in 1994. Since this restoration it has only been driven 386 miles and has placed 2nd at Hershey.
Exterior
Sitting on a steel and wood chassis, Mulliner bodied the car and painted it pale blue with midnight blue fenders and upper passenger compartment and roofline. This aluminum over wood body is straight and corrosion free. A side view offers a beautiful sweeping fenders and running board design, cowled hood, chromed Rolls Royce badged radiator surround and a trio of massive chromed encased round headlights. A simple curved bumper is framing the bottom front of the car. Built in turn signal bezels are curving with the front fenders and the Spirit of Ecstasy is seen atop the radiator surround. Door gaps are well minded and on the back is a steel storage trunk also painted midnight blue. Just below this trunk is another curved chrome bumper with simple small tail lighting peeking out from the bottom of the bumper. 19-inch midnight blue painted wire wheels are wrapped in 6.00-19 black wall rubber with a chromed octagonal central hub. Some extra drip guards have been optioned on this car above each window, and a spare tire is nestled into the drivers side, (it's right hand drive folks), front fender. t is as close to perfection as one can get with only a few minor scratches in the fenders and a small dent on the passenger rear fender.
Interior
Opening the right hand drivers door we are met with some burl sills, vertical ribbed leather panels in black a small pouch and shiny actuators and window cranks. Chromed frames are on for the windows. For the chauffeur we have a tuck and roll black leather bench sitting in a sea of black carpeting. More burl for the dash which is in beautiful condition and a few round circular instruments are embedded onto the burl. A large steering wheel is atop a chromed steering column, and a turn signal stalk has been added to the column, but unfortunately it turns with the column! A dividing panel is just aft of the drivers bench and contains privacy glass that slides for complete cutoff from the driver. Also within this panel is a fold out table which can completely hidden within the divider if you want. Blue carping is on these spacious floors and a dark blue leather bench is in back with plenty of room in tuck and roll style. A nice detail are some art nouveau blue milk glass flower vases on each sill in back. A blue fuzzy broadcloth headliner is above and is nice and tight.
Drivetrain
Mechanically, the model is quite simple and easy to maintain. The easy and uncomplicated design is one of the advantages contemporary owners like about these cars. Power comes from a 3.7 liter inline six-cylinder engine with overhead valves mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox that has a synchronized 3rd and 4th gear with floor shift. The mid-engine block and cylinder head are made from cast iron, whereas the crankcase was produced in aluminum. A single-jet carburetor was responsible for the right mixture. Turning the rear tires is an axle weighing in with a smashingly good 4.55 ratio. On a good day, the 20/25 is capable of around 65hp, though Rolls-Royce would never state that number and only refer to its engine power being 'adequate' or 'sufficient' " a true gentleman does not need to brag about those things!
Undercarriage
We see plenty of solid steel framing and mechanicals which include leaf sprung suspension and mechanical drum brakes. Some wood is in for the floorboards which now their name takes on a literal meaning, (floor + board). All is clean and rust free underneath with just slight road dirt and spatter peppering the undercarriage.
Drive-Ability
The car starts right up and is a very easy smooth driver. Nice acceleration, smooth shifting and the mechanical drums work well. All functions were operational and there is nice room in the back.
Nowadays, the model has become immensely popular with enthusiasts of the brand; it was the automobile that helped Rolls-Royce to survive the difficult crisis years after '29. But the cars also represent good value for money and are usable classics that only require basic maintenance. These are exceptionally well-designed cars, but if something goes wrong, (with a car that is close to 90 years old this cannot be excluded), most parts are readily available from specialized dealers and restorers. This one, with only 386 miles since a restoration nearly 30 years ago still holds its shine and cleanliness as well as reliability.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
