Description
Kelham Hall | Newark, Nottinghamshire
Viewing: Tues 17th March 2026 from 12pm
Auction: Weds 18th March 2026
Location: Kelham Hall Main Street, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5QX
1934 Rolls-Royce 20/ 25 Sports Saloon by Charleston
Entered from the Alyth Collection - No Reserve
Registration No: Un-registered
Chassis No: GMD56
MOT: Exempt
Entered from the Alyth collection
Originally fitted with a Watson Saloon 'Enclosed Cabriolet' body, but rebodied later with its current, attractive Charleston 'Sports Saloon' body
A worthwhile potential recommissioning project
Rolls-Royce introduced the 20/ 25 in 1929 as a successor to the outgoing 20HP model. Although the newcomer was primarily aimed at owner-drivers, many examples were nevertheless sold to customers with chauffeurs. The four-speed manual gearbox featured the manufacturer's traditional right-hand change and was equipped with synchromesh on the top two ratios from 1932 onwards. The substantial chassis sported rigid axles front and rear, suspended on semi-elliptic leaf springs. The four-wheeled braking was mechanically servo-assisted. Power came from an enlarged version of the straight-six OHV unit used in the 20HP. Now displacing 3, 699cc, it made for swifter acceleration and a higher top speed of up to 75mph. The increase of 570cc provided useful extra power and allowed coachbuilders of the day to experiment and offer more intricate body styles without impeding performance. As before, the choice of bodywork for each 20/ 25 was to the taste of each individual customer, and Freestone & Webb, Gurney Nutting, Park Ward, Thrupp & Maberly, H. J. Mulliner and Hooper were among the many coachbuilders selected to clothe these fine motorcars. Faster than its 20HP predecessor, the model remained in production until 1936 by which time some 3, 827 had been sold, making it the company’s best-selling model between the wars.
More information to follow.
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Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
