 1931 20/25 | 1933 20/25  |
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1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25 news, pictures, and information | ||
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Though Rolls-Royce is well known for building large, stately vehicles, they offered smaller cars as well. The 20/25 was built along wîth the Phantom II from 1929 to 1936, and more 20/25 chassis were built than any other model between the First and Second World Wars. Many were completed wîth limousine type bodies; the Paris coachbuilder Vanvooren originally bodied this car as a Sedanca Saloon. In the 1950's and 1960's, it was common to take early Rolls-Royce models wîth closed bodies and refit them wîth sportier bodies reminiscent of the 1930s.
Collection of Fred EinerSource - SDAM
 |  |  | Saloon Coachwork: Thrupp and Maberly Chassis Num: GHW74 |
| Sold for $55,000 at 2010 RM Auctions. | |||
Between 1929 and 1936, the Rolls-Royce Company produced nearly 4000 examples, making it one of the best selling contemporary models for the luxury marque.
All of the 20/25 models were given custom coachwork. This example was bodied by Thrupp & Maberly. The Thrupp & Maberly Company had a history that dated back to 1858, when coach painter George Maberly partnered up with coachbuilder George Herbert Thrupp. The Charles Thrupp and Co. had been building coaches in London since 1760 and had showrooms on fashionable Oxford Street.
Thrupp & Maberly built a reputation for quality and innovation, and soon established themselves as one of the very best among coachbuilders. Soon, many of the contracts for the Thrupp & Maberly Company were from Rolls-Royce.
This example was once owned by Hollywood actor and noted car collector Edward Hermann and his wife Star. It was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2004 after having just completed a ground-up professional restoration.
The engine is a inline six-cylinder overhead valve unit with dual ignition via coil and magnet. There is a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel servo-assisted mechanical drum brakes.
In 2010, this car was offered for sale at RM Auctions 'Automobiles of Amelia Island' event, where it was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $80,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $55,000, inclusive of buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2010
 | Gentlemans Hunting Wagon Coachwork: Crosbie & Dunn. Ltd. Chassis Num: GHW-79 | |
| Sold for $71,500 at 2006 RM Auctions. | ||
 |  | Cabriolet Designer: Graber |
In 1929 the Twenty's replacement, the 20/25 HP was launched. This car used the Twenty chassis, virtually unchanged, but the engine was enlarged from 3.1 litres to 3.7 litres, giving a significant increase in performance. Improved power had become a necessity because owners often insisted on fitting elaborate and heavy coachwork, which severely affected the performance. This was an important change considering owners didn't like to be overtaken by what they believed to be inferior cars.
An 'Autocar' report in 1931 describes the 20/25 thus: 'Every single feature spells durability, the machine is on a plane altogether superior to the normal style of motor car'. This claim is backed up by the fact that this model was the choice of some of the most famous sporting drivers of the day. Tommy Sopwith owned one, as did the famous racing driver Prince Bira of Siam and racing driver and record breaker Sir Malcolm Campbell.
- Rolls-Rocye Motor Cars
Overview
The 20/25 kept the Rolls-Royce tradition of a two-model policy, being sold alongside of the Phantom II. It was offered as a more economical car and was smaller than its sibling. All of the 20/25HP were outfitted wîth custom coachbuilt bodies from legendary names such as Vanden Plas, Freestone and Webb, Brewster, Gurney Nutting, Park Ward, Coachcraft, and Thrupp & Maberly.
With nearly 4000 chassis created it is one of Rolls-Royce's best selling contemporary models, lasting from 1929 through 1936. During the production lifespan of the 20/25, the vehicle received many updates. The ignition, brakes, clutch, and carburetors were just a few of the mechanical areas to received modifications and improvements. In 1932 shock absorbers and thermostat controlled devices were introduced. The thermostats operated the radiator air-flow automatically eliminating the need to operate the radiator shutters by hand.Source - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
For more information and related vehicles, click hereAn 'Autocar' report in 1931 describes the 20/25 thus: 'Every single feature spells durability, the machine is on a plane altogether superior to the normal style of motor car'. This claim is backed up by the fact that this model was the choice of some of the most famous sporting drivers of the day. Tommy Sopwith owned one, as did the famous racing driver Prince Bira of Siam and racing driver and record breaker Sir Malcolm Campbell.
- Rolls-Rocye Motor Cars
Overview
The 20/25 kept the Rolls-Royce tradition of a two-model policy, being sold alongside of the Phantom II. It was offered as a more economical car and was smaller than its sibling. All of the 20/25HP were outfitted wîth custom coachbuilt bodies from legendary names such as Vanden Plas, Freestone and Webb, Brewster, Gurney Nutting, Park Ward, Coachcraft, and Thrupp & Maberly.
With nearly 4000 chassis created it is one of Rolls-Royce's best selling contemporary models, lasting from 1929 through 1936. During the production lifespan of the 20/25, the vehicle received many updates. The ignition, brakes, clutch, and carburetors were just a few of the mechanical areas to received modifications and improvements. In 1932 shock absorbers and thermostat controlled devices were introduced. The thermostats operated the radiator air-flow automatically eliminating the need to operate the radiator shutters by hand.Source - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
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 1932
Rolls-Royce
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| 1931 20/25 | 1933 20/25 |
