Rolls-Royce 20/25 Thrupp and Maberley Sports Saloon

CATALOGUE AMENDMENT; Paperwork has now been found to show that a new engine block was fitted in 2001.

The Rolls-Royce 20/25 was introduced as a successor to the “Rolls 20” in 1929. The Rolls-Royce dictum of “make everything as beautifully as possible and charge accordingly” was maintained in the new model which carried over its predecessor’s conventional chassis layout . The engine was bored out to 3,669cc, the straight six being remarkably silky smooth and quiet as was to be expected of a Rolls-Royce. The performance was markedly improved however, the basic layout forming the basis for the superb 3 ½ litre Bentley which the firm unveiled in 1933.

Produced concurrently with the Phantom II and built to the same exacting standards, the 20/25 benefited from many of the larger model's improvements (such as synchromesh on 3rd and 4th from 1933, mechanically servo-assisted brakes, centralised chassis lubrication and thermostatically controlled radiator shutters), becoming the best-selling Rolls-Royce of the inter-war period with some 3,827 leaving Crewe before the more powerful 25/30 came along.

Contemporary road tests commented on the exquisite precision of all the controls, the entire absence of mechanical noise and the uncanny smoothness of the ride –one saying that the car behaved so beautifully that it was difficult to drive badly.

Although designed with the owner/driver in mind, many 20/25s ended up with rather formal coachwork, thus it is nice to find a car with a proper sports saloon body. Copies of the chassis test sheets show that GHA 39 was tested by the works on the 21st December 1932 and was despatched to Thrupp and Maberley on the same day. It didn’t take them long to complete the Sports Saloon bodywork (ordered with painted hinge mouldings) as the car was first registered on 1st February 1933 to a Mr Trehearne who purchased it through Rootes Ltd, Devonshire House, Piccadilly. He kept it until 1964, the current vendor purchasing it in 1982 from a gentleman in Gwent. The logbook shows just three previous keepers.

The vendor undertook a restoration programme which included a “wings off” bare metal respray, the work being carried out by Ron Long and Sons in the early ‘90s. The comprehensive file of invoices also details a retrim in Connolly hide in 1999, at which point the brightwork was also rechromed. A new cylinder head was fitted in 1986, and whilst there was mention in the file of a new block, at the present time this can not be substantiated (see amendment).

This most attractive low owner sports saloon has been very well cared for in its present ownership. In fine condition, it is MOTd until March 2012 and is ready to enjoy.