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1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 news, pictures, and information

Sportsman Pillarless Coupe
Coachwork: Gurney Nutting
Chassis Num: GLZ 22
 
The 20/25 became the most popular of all pre-war Rolls-Royces and was produced from 1929 to 1935, during which time 3,792 cars were made. It was the successor to the 20HP model, the engine size being increased from 3.1 liters to 37 with performance improving accordingly.

As with the 20HP, the 20/25 was warmly received and proved immensely popular, soon more than doubling the sales of the big Phantom II. Detail improvements were made to the 20/25 during its seven year production life, including increases in compression ratio in 1930 and 1932; the latter year also saw the introduction of synchromesh for third and fourth gears, thermostatically controlled radiator grille shutters, a one-shot centralized lubrication system and an electric fuel gauge.

Contemporary road tests commented on the exquisite precision of all the controls, one saying that the car behaved so beautifully that it was difficult to drive badly. Flexibility and braking were outstanding and the chassis proved surprisingly brisk, with 0-50 mph taking approximately 20 seconds.

There are many body variants on the 20/25 chassis, with coachbuilders creating individual and unique body styles. Freestone & Webb were responsible for many private orders on Rolls-Royce chassis during the 1930's. This particular example, the Sportsman Coupe, being one of the most stunning.

This 1933 Rolls-Royce Sportsman pillarless coupe by coachbuilder Gurney Nutting, is one of two produced. This car was purchased through Bareleys in England in 1964 and it was in storage from 1979-1999 when it was rescued. The restoration was completed in 2004.

The Rolls-Royce 20/25 horsepower vehicle was produced from 1933 until 1937. The car is powered by a straight six-cylinder, over-head-valve engine developing 75 horsepower, contrary to the model number. The car sits on a 132-inch wheelbase and has a top speed of 75 miles per hour (120-km/h).
Shooting Brake
 
This vehicle is painted in light grey with beige leather interior. It is belived to be original. there are three doors - two on the left and one on the right - with a tailgate and up-swinging rear window. There are two rows of seating and a single center-facing jump seat on the right side behind the driver. It has shooting brake coachwork.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008
Tourer
Coachwork: Kitchener & Woodiwiss
Chassis Num: GDX30
 
Sold for $60,840 at 2010 Bonhams.
This 20/25 Four-door tourer wears coachwork by Kitchener & Woodiwiss. It is a right-hand drive example riding on a long-wheelbase platform. It features power brakes, synchromesh on third and fourth gears, one-shot lubrication, electric fuel gauge, and thermostat-controlled grille shutters. It is finished in antique white and utilizes side curtains. Inside, there is red leather with matching red 19-inch wire wheels and a rear spare. Picnic tables are available for the rear seat passengers. There is a bulb horn and Lucas P100B headlights with a large central driving lamp.

In 2010, this car was offered for sale at the Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia auction presented by Bonhams. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $60,840 inclusive of Buyer's Premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2010
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
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