Description
This strong driving, charming and correct Sports Saloon offers exceptional value and has to be one of the most competitively priced Rolls Royce 20/ 25’s on the market. Whilst far from pristine, it has delightfully aged, matured and offers an excellent opportunity to purchase a very sound, well presented example that can drive anywhere today. The last owner purchased the Rolls Royce in early 2020 and has used it on a regular basis, and on two occasions recently has driven it over to us from the Beverley area proving a 60 mile plus round trip for this car is effortless.
Chassis number GXK78 was ordered new by J. C. M Barrett to be delivered to Bass Rock Motor Company. Mr Barrett cancelled his order for this car, and it was then acquired by Grimshaw Leather & Co of Sunderland (Agents for Arrol-Johnson since 1923). The Rolls Royce was then to be used as their demonstrator vehicle. The first private owner of the 20/ 25 was Robert Lauder III, his father Col. Robert Lauder II and Grandfather Robert Lauder JP were all involved in the family business, Robert Lauder & Co who were Sawmill and Timber importers. Interestingly, during WWII Lauder & Co constructed landing craft which were subsequently used as ambulance launchers during D-Day.
After one year within the Lauder family the Rolls Royce was purchased by Cecil Donovan of Sunderland, a keen Golfer and 1932 winner of the Captain's Prize Calcutta Competition at Wearside Golf Club where he was Club Secretary. By the 1940's the Rolls Royce was in North Wales at Greddington Park with the 5th Lord Tyrrell-Kenyon. By the 1950's our Rolls Royce was in London with a P Mason of St. John's Wood and Dr Eva Well of Hendon. In 1961 the 20/ 25 was owned by EFCO Ltd in Woking and it was later in 1963, was sold to John Virden Davis of the Udylite Corporation, a firm founded in 1919 in Indiana, later relocating to Detroit in 1927. John Davis joined the Company during the 1930's and was an inventor with 50 patents registered to his name. All correspondence between the two Companies, and shipping costs to the US have been kept forming some interesting reading.
Having spent many years in the USA, the Rolls Royce returned to the UK and was once again registered in the UK in 2004. The Rolls Royce has been regularly MOT tested since then, most recently in May 2020. In recent years the Rolls Royce has been treated cylinder head work, it has been fully re-wired with correct cloth covered cable, fitted with a stainless-steel exhaust system and benefits from various other repairs and light renovation work over recent years. GR 2660 presents a real user with its older, blemished and marked paintwork but with an excellent chassis and excellent door fits, it really is only cosmetic. The upholstery is lovely, charming and offers a real luxury feel and having been well maintained, the Rolls Royce is offered onto the market is a strong driving, mechanically sound example that can be driven and enjoyed without hesitation.
