1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine by Hooper

Description

This vehicle will be sold via live auction on Saturday 14th March at Concours House, Bradford on Avon, with auctioneers Dore & Rees. The price listed is the bottom auction estimate, bids will start at around 25% below this figure on the day. Go to [Website URL removed] for more details.


1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine by Hooper

Registration Number: 728 UXH
Chassis Number: GNS 57
Recorded Mileage: c.85,000 miles

- From the Collection of Mr. Brian Ford
- In current ownership since 1981

By the late 1920s the trend for ever-heavier coachwork on the Rolls-Royce 20 HP 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.

As with the 20 HP, the 20/25 was warmly received and proved immensely popular, soon more than doubling sales of the big Phantom II. Various detail improvements were made to the 20/25 during its seven year production life including rises in compression ratio in 1930 and 1932; the latter year also saw the introduction of synchromesh for the third and fourth gear ratios, thermostatically controlled radiator grille shutters, a one-shot centralised lubrication system and an electric fuel gauge.

The 20/25 Limousine offered here was bodied by highly regarded coachbuilder Hooper & Co. for the Clyde Automobile Co. Ltd. on behalf of wealthy Scottish surveyor Mr.H.A. Low Esq. The Rolls-Royce was commissioned with Hooper body no. 7525, and specified with amongst other items Laurel veneers, Triplex glass, a “quick-action” signal window, stainless body fittings, Lucas lamps, a Dictograph, rare and now desirable wheel discs, and both cigar lighter and fire extinguisher!

Donated for war service during WWII and later serving the Scottish Orchestra (during which the Rolls carried such occupants as the famous composer Yehudi Menhuin), the Rolls-Royce changed hands a few times in Glasgow before moving south to North West England. By 1964 the 20/25 was in the possession of a Mr. J. Brazier of Altrincham, who kept the car from 1963 to 1977, at which point the 20/25 was owned by Mr. Monty Baird of Rutland. Mr. Ford purchased the Rolls in 1981, keeping the car until his passing in 2025. Always dry stored, the 20-25 has not been used in recent years and so will no doubt benefit from recommissioning work before being pressed into service once more.

Finished in two tone Black over Royal Blue with a navy leather interior, this ever so stately post-vintage Rolls is offered complete with older buff and green log books, MoT certificates to 1970s, also notes and correspondence dating to the early 1960s.



About Us:
Dore & Rees run regular auctions of classic and collectors cars, motorcycles and automobilia, in addition to art and antiques auctions. For a full calendar of our auctions please go to the website.

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Ad ID: 1510345788

Exact specification may vary from the details on this page. Please contact the seller to reconfirm any details before purchasing. See Terms & Conditions for further information.