1932 | Rolls-Royce 20/25 HP

By the late 1920s the trend for ever-heavier coachwork on the Rolls-Royce 20hp had inevitably had a detrimental effect on performance. Rolls-Royce’s solution was to increase the comparatively small six-cylinder engine’s capacity from just over three litres to 3,699cc which, together with a stronger crankshaft allowing increased rpm, raised its output to 25hp. Over the past eight decades the 20/25hp Rolls-Royce has earned an enviable reputation of being among the most dependable, satisfying, and highest quality pre-war models of all. Produced from 1929 to 1935, it represented the marque’s determined effort to move away from massive formal cars, routinely chauffeur-driven, to the newly fashionable owner-driver market for the wealthy private owner-driver.

This lovely 1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine with coachwork by Crosbie & Dunn is one of only seven Crosbie & Dunn built 20/25 examples known to the RREC. It is finished in the fetching colour combination of blue bodywork with a black roof, bonnet top and wings with dark blue leather to the front compartment and dark blue cloth to the rear. This 20/25 comes with nice original features including intercom between front and rear compartments, a fully winding division, a full set of rear window blinds and a Brooks style trunk on the rear luggage rack. 1932 was the last year of the red badge which had been in use since the first 40/50hp (Silver Ghost). The documented history shows that this car was supplied new in Birmingham to F. Lensdale-Allen from Sutton Coalfield. The next mention of ownership in the chassis cards was H. Morris of Birmingham with a note referring to a letter dated 23rd July 1954 that the car will be shipped to Rhodesia in near future. The last listing of change of ownership was in Rhodesia on 16th July 1965 to Major M.E. Few. This 20/25 was purchased by the current owner in the early 1980’s just after it had returned to the UK from South Africa, and it has enjoyed one careful owner since its return. Recently the car was taken to a marque specialist who have gone through the carburettor, repaired an exhaust leak, checked the tappet adjustment, set up the ignition timing and checked the levels, all to make the car run properly and reliable. This car is supplied with a V5C document, the chassis cards from the RREC and a MoT test certificate which expires in July 2024. If you are a looking for an immensely usable and historic 20/25 which is excellent value for the money and in very good order, this example should not be overlooked. Consigned by John Tomlin