1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25 United Kingdom

Auction : £Auction

33 Photos

1932 Rolls-Royceby Park Ward

Ex-David Nobbs film car collection; fully restored in 1977 and only 45,000 miles since; good running order; has starred in various films and TV shows Launched in 1929, the 20/25 was the successor to the 20hp Rolls-Royce and although based around the same leaf-sprung, drum-braked chassis design, enjoyed notably sharper acceleration, a higher top speed and better fuel economy thanks to its enlarged 3.7-litre straight-six OHV engine. Produced concurrently with the Phantom II and built to the same exacting standards, the 20/25 inherited many of the larger model's improvements (such as synchromesh gears, servo-assisted brakes, centralised chassis lubrication and thermostatically controlled radiator shutters), becoming the best-selling Rolls-Royce of the inter-war period, with 3,827 made before the more powerful 25/30 came along. Indeed, the basic layout was to form the platform for the superb 3.5-Litre Bentley which the firm unveiled in 1933, contemporary road tests praising the exquisite precision of all the controls, the entire absence of mechanical noise and the uncanny smoothness of the ride.

This particular 20/25 has four-door, four-light saloon coachwork by Park Ward (body no. 3539) and, according to the factory build sheets on file, was built to order for a Mr E Parsons of Bath in 1932 and originally had the number GW 6156 (now 651 XUK). Our vendor acquired it in 2015 from the estate of David Nobbs, owner of a large collection of vintage cars which were hired out for weddings and film work. Invoices and correspondence on file show that Nobbs restored the car in 1977 including a full engine rebuild with new pistons etc, a large number of old MOTs showing that it has been in regular use since, clocking up 45,000 miles since the rebuild although usage has tailed off in recent times, the car having covered only 2,000 miles since 2006. Nobbs sold the car in 1984 but bought it back again in 1991 and we are told that it has appeared in various films and TV shows over the years, including an appearance in East Enders in 2009 when it was used as a wedding car for one of the main characters (photos and BBC production schedules on file).

Still looking smart some 40 years since it was restored, with a particularly inviting red leather interior, this handsome Rolls-Royce could doubtless still generate a healthy income on the film or wedding hire circuit should the new owner feel so inclined.