1935 Rolls Royce 20/25 Limousine by Park Ward

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

Produced alongside the Phantom II and built to the same exacting standards, the 20/25 benefited from many of the larger model's developments (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.

This 20/25 was bodied by Park Ward with their formal six-light limousine coachwork. The factory records indicate that it was delivered new in 1935 to Lord Whitburgh. Born Thomas Borthwick, Whitburgh's father had been given the hereditary title for services to the Liberal Party north of the border, but the family's wealth had been created from the import of frozen meat from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in their own refrigerated ships. The transport of frozen carcasses was far more efficient than trying to keep animals fit and healthy on the sea voyage and they made millions of pounds from the meat trade, their company having offices in Smithfield Market, London.

This Park Ward Limousine was delivered directly from the coachbuilders to the Connaught Hotel, the vehicle migrating at some point later in its life to the Southampton area. Since acquisition, he has enjoyed spending time sorting out many finer details, improving the paintwork, interior trim, woodwork and underbonnet detailing.

This very nicely turned-out example has been regularly exercised and has proven extremely reliable.