Beschreibung
Owning a Rolls Royce has always been the aspiration of many. Imagine, if you will, arriving at a country manor house in the Cotswolds for a weekend away, driving down that long sweeping drive and pulling up at the front door where of course the staff will rush out to unload the car and take your bags to your room, or driving down to the South of France or Monte Carlo to spend the Summer on holiday.
We have available, to fulfil your dreams, this wonderful 1934 Rolls Royce 20/ 25 – chassis number GUB74 and fitted with a Hooper ‘Sports Saloon’ body Hooper design number 5410.
The Sports Saloon body that is fitted, is a much lighter body than the traditional ‘D-back’ body that is associated with these cars. It is understood that the ‘Sports Saloon’ body design was the one intended for the ‘small horsepower’ 20/ 25 cars which were fitted the 3. 6 litre straight six engine rather than the much larger V12 engine to the ‘large horsepower’ Phantom III.
This Rolls Royce 20/ 25 was taken off test on 1st March 1934 and delivered to its first owner – A. W. Hirst. Unfortunately, it is not known what its original registration number was – there are a couple of surviving period photos of the car – but none that show its registration, and the car now has an age-related plate issued in 1995.
Apart from the original build records and some early servicing cards, little early history remains, but it looks essentially the same as when built in 1934, with the exception of the colour scheme which was originally blue and grey. We do know that the car was exported to the USA in the 1950’s, where it remained until re-imported from New York back to the UK in 1995. The current paint scheme that adorns the car was done whilst in the USA, and when it came back to the UK it was also fitted with white walled tyres, which gives it the look like it had come straight from the set of a Gangster movie, although these have been changed back to standard all black tyres whilst in its current ownership.
In the mid 1990s when the car was back in the UK the interior has been retrimmed in dark brown leather, with new headlining and carpets also being fitted.
The car has been in current ownership since the summer of 1996 and has benefitted from significant recent (September 2018 to February 2020) restoration work being carried out to the engine by renowned Rolls Royce restorer ‘Ben Smith Engineering’ in Devon. Some parts of the wood frame and bodywork still require attention alongside a few other smaller niggles such as there being a hairline crack in the passenger side window and the grill controls having been disconnected. Nothing affects the quality or usability of the car but, like many classics, there is always the next job!
At the start of this work the car was fully inspected and a report on the overall condition was produced. This has resulted in a package of work on the engine and other mechanical components, as well as some timber frame and bodywork. Details of the work done, and costs can be seen in the paperwork we have that goes with the car, but the major items of work done are as follows:
Engine removal and full strip down.
Cleaning and repairs to all components as required.
New Pistons and Valves.
New/ remetalled bearings throughout.
Full dynamic engine balance at each stage of the engine rebuild.
New Clutch and New Prop Shaft.
Reinstatement of the Autovac fuel system.
Fitting of a full flow external oil filter system, Starter motor, Generator and all other engine ancillaries refurbished.
Steering overhauled
Braking System inspected, repaired and adjusted
Replacement of some parts the bodywork and renewal of some parts of the timber frame.
Fitting of New front sidelights, and fitment of discreet indicating flashers in the sidelights.
Fitment of rear indicators and reinstatement of the trafficator arms.
Internal Radiator clean and repair of a minor leak.
5 x New Tyres.
Reinstatement of opening windscreen, Fitment of new period style external rear view mirrors.
Plus many additional minor items of work.
This car is in good smart and drivable condition and will bring many happy hours behind the wheel to its new custodian.
Asking Price - £45, 995
We always encourage prospective buyers to view historic vehicles and steam engines in person prior to purchase. This car is advertised for sale by Berrybrook Steam & Classics on behalf of the owner and seller.
Please phone to arrange a viewing on the details below. For email enquiries, please contact us on using the button below. This car is based at the owner's home near us Exeter. Please contact us directly to arrange a viewing.
Please ask about our flexible part-exchange options. Delivery can be arranged to anywhere in the UK, and beyond, at buyer's expense.
