Vehicle Description
1935 Rolls Royce 20/25 Limousine
The Rolls-Royce 20/25 was an entry level model built between 1929
and 1936. Designed as a successor to the highly successful 20hp,
the 20/25 was much better to drive in terms of comfort and
usability. The model became very popular and effectively helped the
brand stay afloat after the Great Depression and established the
name as one of the world's great automobile producers. Different
body styles were available; the customer being able to choose
between custom-made coachwork from selected coach builders or an
inventory body style. During the seven-year production run, a total
of 3,827 20/25s were built, an impressive number by the standards
of the 1930s. These cars proved to be extremely robust and the fact
that over 70% of all 20/25s produced are said to still be on the
road today is a testament to that.
Offered for consignment, a 1935 Rolls Royce 20/25 which is a
Mulliner bodied automobile that sits on chassis GJC-6 and has a
long wheelbase. After completion, the car went to the purchaser Mr.
G. Embrey of Covington, England. A few owners/collectors later, it
found its way from England to Texas and then Louisiana, it went for
a complete restoration in 1994. Since this restoration it has only
been driven 386 miles and has placed 2nd at Hershey.
Exterior
Sitting on a steel and wood chassis, Mulliner bodied the car and
painted it pale blue with midnight blue fenders and upper passenger
compartment and roofline. This aluminum over wood body is straight
and corrosion free. A side view offers a beautiful sweeping fenders
and running board design, cowled hood, chromed Rolls Royce badged
radiator surround and a trio of massive chromed encased round
headlights. A simple curved bumper is framing the bottom front of
the car. Built in turn signal bezels are curving with the front
fenders and the Spirit of Ecstasy is seen atop the radiator
surround. Door gaps are well minded and on the back is a steel
storage trunk also painted midnight blue. Just below this trunk is
another curved chrome bumper with simple small tail lighting
peeking out from the bottom of the bumper. 19-inch midnight blue
painted wire wheels are wrapped in 6.00-19 black wall rubber with a
chromed octagonal central hub. Some extra drip guards have been
optioned on this car above each window, and a spare tire is nestled
into the drivers side, (it's right hand drive folks), front fender.
t is as close to perfection as one can get with only a few minor
scratches in the fenders and a small dent on the passenger rear
fender.
Interior
Opening the right hand drivers door we are met with some burl
sills, vertical ribbed leather panels in black a small pouch and
shiny actuators and window cranks. Chromed frames are on for the
windows. For the chauffeur we have a tuck and roll black leather
bench sitting in a sea of black carpeting. More burl for the dash
which is in beautiful condition and a few round circular
instruments are embedded onto the burl. A large steering wheel is
atop a chromed steering column, and a turn signal stalkhas been
added to the column, but unfortunately it turns with the column! A
dividing panel is just aft of the drivers bench and contains
privacy glass that slides for complete cutoff from the driver. Also
within this panel is a fold out table which can completely hidden
within the divider if you want. Blue carping is on these spacious
floors and a dark blue leather bench is in back with plenty of room
in tuck and roll style. A nice detail are some art nouveau blue
milk glass flower vases on each sill in back. A blue fuzzy
broadcloth headliner is above and is nice and tight.
Drivetrain
Mechanically, the model is quite simple and easy to maintain. The
easy and uncomplicated design is one of the advantages contemporary
owners like about these cars. Power comes from a 3.7 liter inline
six-cylinder engine with overhead valves mated to a 4-speed manual
gearbox that has a synchronized 3rd and 4th gear with floor shift.
The mid-engine block and cylinder head are made from cast iron,
whereas the crankcase was produced in aluminum. A single-jet
carburetor was responsible for the right mixture. Turning the rear
tires is an axle weighing in with a smashingly good 4.55 ratio. On
a good day, the 20/25 is capable of around 65hp, though Rolls-Royce
would never state that number and only refer to its engine power
being 'adequate' or 'sufficient' - a true gentleman does not need
to brag about those things!
Undercarriage
We see plenty of solid steel framing and mechanicals which include
leaf sprung suspension and mechanical drum brakes. Some wood is in
for the floorboards which now their name takes on a literal
meaning, (floor + board). All is clean and rust free underneath
with just slight road dirt and spatter peppering the
undercarriage.
Drive-Ability
The car starts right up and is a very easy smooth driver. Nice
acceleration, smooth shifting and the mechanical drums work well.
All functions were operational and there is nice room in the
back.
Nowadays, the model has become immensely popular with enthusiasts
of the brand; it was the automobile that helped Rolls-Royce to
survive the difficult crisis years after '29. But the cars also
represent good value for money and are usable classics that only
require basic maintenance. These are exceptionally well-designed
cars, but if something goes wrong, (with a car that is close to 90
years old this cannot be excluded), most parts are readily
available from specialized dealers and restorers. This one, with
only 386 miles since a restoration nearly 30 years ago still holds
its shine and cleanliness as well as reliability.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
