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
1933 Rolls-Royce 20/ 25 Three-position Drophead Coupé by Thrupp & Maberly
No Reserve
Registration No: CRF 279
Chassis No: GXB 36
MOT: Exempt
A desirable drophead 20/ 25 bodied by Thrupp & Maberly
Originally supplied through Rootes Ltd. of Devonshire House, Piccadilly
Previously subject to extensive restoration works
Offerered with copies of its chassis cards supplied by the R. R. E. C.
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.
A well-fashioned Drophead Coupé body was perhaps the most elegant couture that a Rolls-Royce 20/ 25 could hope to receive. Chassis GXB36 received just such treatment from the old-established firm of Thrupp & Maberly and is coming to market having been in single-family ownership almost from new. GXB36 was originally sold to Rootes Ltd. (owners of Thrupp & Maberly), but the first private owner was Colonel Wenger of The Hollies, Brampton, Staffordshire. The original order on November 24th, 1933, stipulated a Sports Saloon for use in “U. K. and Continent town and touring.” By February, 1934, the car was being tested by Thrupp & Maberly, but it is not known when or why the order changed to specify a Drophead Coupé. The colonel took delivery in March.
According to the vendor, the 20/ 25 was sold in 1935 or 1936 to his great-aunt, Miss Lillo Lumb (Rolls-Royce records do not acknowledge the change until 1946). It was her fourth car, thus named Hiccup IV after her unconventional method of driving: “She would sit hunched over the steering wheel and would pump the accelerator so she ‘hiccupped’ along.”
Lillo’s brother was Teddy Lumb, chairman of Allied Textiles, which specialised in products made from imported Australian merino. Because Lillo never married, Hiccup was inherited by Teddy’s daughter, Wendy Vint, and her husband Geoff, a physician in Pembury, Kent. After Geoff retired to Somerset, he had the car repainted from all-Black to Black over Grey, fitted a new hood, and attended many rallies with the R. R. E. C. south-west section. Hiccup passed to the present generation in 2004, and has continued to be enjoyed with the R. R. E. C.’s Scottish section. It became necessary in that time to reupholster the worn interior and rechrome the hubcaps. Still presenting beautifully with its original bodywork, GXB36 is supplied with a written history, copies of the chassis records, a lubrication diagram, assorted technical articles from Milford Vintage Engineering, an original 20/ 25 handbook, and some R. R. E. C.-published technical books.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
