To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' Amelia
Island event, 6 - 7 March 2020.
Estimate:
$50,000 - $70,000
- Offered from the Todd and Peggy Nagler Collection
- Originally the dealer demonstrator for H.R. Owen
- Part of the collection since 1968; regularly shown and
toured
- Well-maintained older restoration with extensive history
file
- Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) Full Classic
J. Gurney Nutting of Chelsea boasted almost unequaled skill in
creating finely designed and detailed coachwork on Rolls-Royce
chassis. They were especially talented with the
smaller-displacement cars such as the 25/30, for which it was not
always easy to build well-proportioned, sleek coachwork. Gurney
Nutting succeeded, as can be seen in this Sedanca de Ville, chassis
no. GRP18, a scaled-down version of a similar design used on the
Phantom III, with close-coupled lines accentuated by a wide
beltline molding and lowered roof.
Upon its completion, GRP18 was delivered as stock to H.R. Owen, the
respected longstanding London Rolls-Royce dealer, in the spring of
1938; delivery was somewhat late, with the chassis being considered
a 1937 by Rolls-Royce. According to information from Rolls-Royce
included in the file, the car did not find its first private owner
until July 1945, when it was sold to Mr. F. Roberts of Manchester.
Later British owners were Richard Charles Bunn of Welwyn Garden
City, Hertfordshire, who acquired the car in 1962, and Walter Brian
Carter of Huntingdon, who purchased it four years later.
Charles Nagler purchased the Rolls-Royce in good, largely original
order from Mr. Carter in 1968, and it has now remained in the
United States, and in the same family, for over half a century. In
early years it was occasionally used by the Naglers for the
weddings of friends. Following a complete restoration down to the
fitment of a correct electric rear-window blind, GRP18 then took to
the show circuit, winning the Hooper Trophy from the Rolls-Royce
Owners' Club and the Formal Town Car award at the CCCA Museum's
Formal Car Experience in 1990.
Under the ownership of Todd and Peggy Nagler, the car continued to
collect awards with both organizations in regional competition as
recently as 2004 and was also driven extensively on tours and
private journeys all over the Midwest. As with all the Naglers'
cars, exceptional records were kept of the car's operation and
regular maintenance, and these accompany various historical
documents, a handbook, and technical information.
Relatively few 25/30s remain in the United States; fewer still have
been so well restored and maintained by the same family for so
long. According to Peggy, this Rolls-Royce was always one of their
favorite tour cars because it was so enjoyable to drive, and the
front roof section could be opened to enjoy sunny days or closed
just as easily if weather turned. The Naglers considered this car
something special, and now a new caretaker can experience what made
this Sedanca a cherished treasure from the collection.To view this
car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit
the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am20.
