Classic Sports Car Classifieds

Year :  1932
Make :  Rolls-Royce
Model :  20/25
Coachbuilder :  Freestone & Webb
Body Type :  Fixed Head Coupe
Colour :  Blue
Trim :  Blue Leather

History :  Production of the Rolls-Royce 20HP ceased in 1929, making way for the all new 20/25 which was produced until 1936. The new 20/25 retained the 6 cylinder single carburettor, overhead valve engine which had been issued to its predecessor, but it was upgraded to 3699cc producing better acceleration and a higher top speed. The four speed manual gearbox with right hand lever change was also improved with the fitment of synchromesh to third and fourth gear from 1932 onwards. The 20/25 was produced by Rolls-Royce in tandem with production of the Phantom II, giving buyers a multitude of options. This particular car, Chassis No GKT29 is a very stylish fixed head coupe by Freestone & Webb and was delivered on the 6th of May 1932 to the Honourable Mrs E Harmsworth, the Countess of Rothermere. Of nearly 4,000 Rolls-Royce 20/25 chassis produced, a total of just eighteen fixed head coupes were produced by Freestone & Webb at their works in Willesden in north London with Chassis No GKT29 being the very first. The subsequent seventeen examples appear to have been constructed to slightly alternate designs so we believe this car to be unique. Following a two year period of ownership the Countess of Rothermere the car was supplied by Paddon Brothers in 1934 to Sir Stewart and Lady Jane Clark of Dundas Castle, West Lothian Scotland. It was owned by the Clark’s until 1967 when sold to Captain Geoffrey Hall of Wimborne in Dorset. Towards the end of Captain Hall’s ownership he instructed a full mechanical and cosmetic restoration which included the engine being re-bored, crankshaft re-ground, all bearings re-metalled, new pistons, new rocker shaft, clutch re-lined, a full re-wire, new leather, re-polished woodwork and a re-paint. The odometer reading at this time was 39,000 miles. GKT29 was entered into a number of concours events in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, taking first place in 1976 winning the RREC Harry Wise Trophy (best closed car with sporting lines) and winning the RREC Organ Trophy in 1978 for 1st in class in the 20/25 section. It was also placed second in the 1980 RREC master class. Captain Hall owned the car until 1983 when it was sold to its fourth owner, who kept the car up until a couple of years ago, when it was first acquired by Frank Dale & Stepsons and subsequently supplied to its fifth and most recent owner. Over the past two years, the most recent owner instructed us to carry out a number of mechanical improvements for him, to ensure complete reliability and excellent on road performance. These included but were not limited to an engine overhaul which included re-metalled big and small ends, pistons machined to fit new rings, cylinder head descaled, new valve springs, new radiator core/matrix, an overdrive fitted, five new tyres and inner tubes, brakes overhauled and servo re-built, new exhaust system, water pump re-built, work to the ignition, front springs restored and new spring gaiters. The total expenditure amounted to in excess of £30,000, with invoices documenting the works. Chassis No GKT29 is an exceptionally light motor car, with aluminium bumpers, a fabric top and small sporting coachwork, resulting in a car which is surprisingly brisk to drive when comparing it to other 20/25’s we have supplied in the past. It is complete with a wide selection of tools mounted to the scuttle, its handbook, copies of the original build sheets, chassis cards and an extensive history file. This stylish and charming pre-war Rolls-Royce will undoubtedly supply its next owner with a great deal of motoring pleasure for many years to come.

Condition :  Cosmetically restored in the early 1980s and mechanically restored over the past year.
Technical Data :  Four speed manual gearbox, 6 cylinder in line engine, 3.5 litres displacement, 3,669cc capacity. Servo assisted brakes.

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