1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30

The Rolls-Royce 25/30 was produced between 1936 and 1938 and served as a replacement to the successful 20/25 released in 1929. The inspiration and impetus for the 25/30 was the need and desire for increased power to carry the large (heavy), elegant, and custom coachwork. The 3,669cc inline-6 cylinder engine was bored out to 4,257cc, while the stroke remained the same. It used a 6:1 compression ratio, the magneto ignition was dropped (a standby coil was provided), and a single proprietary Stromberg downdraught carburetor replaced the Rolls-Royce unit. The engine was built in unit with the four-speed gearbox and synchromesh was installed on third and top gears. Stopping power was provided by four-wheel drums with a mechanical servo under license of Hispano-Suiza.

The riveted chassis had a 132-inch wheelbase was suspended by a rigid axle with half-elliptic springs and hydraulic dampers. At the front was a Rolls-Royce radiator with a triangular top and thermostatically controlled vertical louvers. Coachwork was left to independent coachbuilders including Park Ward, Hooper, Thrupp & Maberly, Arthur Mulliner, and H.J. Mulliner & Co.

After 1,201 examples had been produced, Rolls-Royce replaced the 25/30 with the Wraith which entered production in 1938 and continued into a year later with 491 units built. The Wraith was larger than its predecessor and rested on a 136-inch wheelbase with a length of 203 inches and powered by the same 4,257cc straight-6 engine found in the 25/30, but with a cross-flow cylinder head. Synchromesh was on the second, third, and fourth gear and retained the right-hand change.

Production was disrupted due to World War II and when peacetime resumed, the company's first post-war model was the Silver Wraith, produced from 1946 to 1958.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2021