1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30HP Sedanca Coupe

During the late 1930s, A.F. McNeill was the designer responsible for creating the design of the Sedanca de Ville and Sedanca Coupes. Unlike previous designs, it did not have a separate chauffeur compartment, as by this point in history, more and more cars were orientated to owner-driver use. The Coupe style allowed the owner to drive and enjoy the benefits of closed or open motoring.

This 1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30hp Sedanca Coupe with coachwork by J. Gurney Nutting was commissioned by London dealer H.R. Owen as 'Stock for U.S.A.' which suggests that it was most likely to be sold to this country. However, this example was sold new in the UK, first to a Mr. J.C. Lucas of Leamington and The Welcome Hotel in Stratford Upon Avon and then to R. Aldridge of Welbeck House in London's W1. The history from that point forward is unknown; by 1990 it was in the United States and was given a restoration by Rolls-Royce specialist Al Pruitt. The work earned it an AACA National First Prize.

The car has a leather covered coupe roof, landau irons on the rear quarter panels and a low windshield line.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the Quail Lodge Sale presented by Bonhams. The car was estimated to sell for $170,000 - $190,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had failed to find a buyer willing to satisfy its reserve. It would leave the auction unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2012