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1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 news, pictures, and information

Sedanca deVille
Coachwork: Park Ward & Co.
Chassis Num: GFT 72
 
Sold for $55,000 at 2012 RM Auctions.
The Rolls-Royce 20/25 was introduced in 1929 and it was such a success that the platform was used on the newly acquired Bentley marque, in its 3.5-Litre model, introduced in 1933. All pre-War Rolls-Royce automobile was produced as a rolling chassis then sent to a coachbuilder. This example was bodied by Park Ward. In 1939, Rolls-Royce purchased Park Ward, eventually joining Park Ward with H.J. Mulliner to produce the Mulliner Park Ward designs in the postwar years.

The first owner of this car was Sir Strati Ralli, who ordered the car for his wife, Lady Ralli. The car still wears its original body, engine and gearbox. This example has been given a cosmetic re-freshening and has received regular maintenance yet remains highly original.

The car has 85,000 miles on the odometer and is finished in Falconers Blue with black wings and top. It wears the original full wheel disks and there are power assisted mechanical drum brakes.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the RM Auction's Amelia Island sale. It was estimated to sell for $70,000 - $90,000. 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 | Mar 2012
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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