Rolls-Royce 20/25hp Foursome Sedanca Coupé, 1934
Rolls-Royce 20
Rolls-Royce 20•
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Chassis No.: GAF21
Engine No.: V7A
Estimate: £180,000 - £280,000 GBP
- From the Charles Howard Collection
- Coachwork by Barker & Co
- Registration no. WXG 489
- Engine no. V7A
- Delivered new to Spain
- First owned by the Marquis de Santo Domingo
- Biarritz Grand Prix d'Élégance winner in 1935
- Long-term ownership in Spain from the mid-1970s to 2015
- Present ownership since 2015
- €82,000 spent on recent restoration
The introduction of a smaller Rolls-Royce, the 20hp, in 1922 enabled the company to cater for the increasingly important owner-driver market that appreciated the quality of Rolls-Royce engineering but did not need a car as large as a 40/50hp Silver Ghost or Phantom. The 'Twenty' proved eminently suited to town use yet could cope admirably with Continental touring when called upon. Its successor, the 20/25hp, introduced in 1929, up-dated the concept with significant improvements, featuring an enlarged (from 3.1 to 3.7 litres) and more-powerful version of the Twenty's six-cylinder overhead-valve engine.
The revised motor's increased output allowed the bespoke coachbuilders greater freedom in their efforts to satisfy a discerning clientele that demanded ever larger and more opulent designs. Apart from the improved engine, early 20/25hp chassis were identical to those of the last 20s, both models being produced during 1929. Thus the 20/25hp inherited the right-hand gear change lever and servo-assisted brakes introduced on its predecessor for 1926, as well as Phantom-style vertical radiator shutters.
Produced contemporaneously with the Phantom II, the 20/25hp benefited from many of the features, such as synchromesh gears and centralised chassis lubrication, developed for the larger model, and would become the best-selling Rolls-Royce of the inter-war period.
This 20/25hp carries striking sedanca coupé coachwork by Barker & Co of London, one of the finest of all British coachbuilders and a firm associated with Rolls-Royce from the latter's earliest days. With its faired-in spare wheel, rear wheel spats, and slender tapering tail, this stunning looking body clearly reflects the growing awareness of the importance of aerodynamics in passenger car design.
Chassis number 'GAF21' was delivered new to Spain and supplied to the Marquis de Santo Domingo of Madrid, as confirmed by copy factory records on file. The car was built on the long-type chassis, with 3" longer bonnet, which makes this 20/25hp appear like a Phantom II.
Completed on 8th March 1935, the car was tested at Barker & Co and shipped on 30th March 1935 from Folkestone, with a note stating it was to be used in Spain. 'GAF21' was photographed at San Segundo, Spain, appearing in the Rolls-Royce Bulletin in September 1935, and that same year won the Biarritz Grand Prix d'Élégance (see Rolls-Royce Bulletin, December 1935, page 30). 'GAF21' also featured in Country Life (13th April 1935 edition); The Sketch (24th April 1935); and The Sphere (16th October 1935).
On 4th July 1972, one Elvira Estaban sold the Rolls-Royce to Ann Holden Salguero of Madrid, Spain (paperwork on file). Various mechanical restoration works were carried out in 1976/1977, there being related documentation on file from JMF Motors Ltd and Somerton Motors addressed to the then owner, Mr Bert Schader, an American living in Madrid.
There is correspondence on file between Mr Schader and the highly respected Rolls-Royce authority John Fasal. John recalls driving the car back from Spain to the UK in October 1973, having collected it from Schader, the intention being to have the chassis and coachwork restored. The Rolls-Royce was shipped from Bilbao to Southampton, arriving on 12th October 1973. In 1982 the car was treated to a body restoration by Charcott Garage.
Paperwork in the file confirms that Schader owned the car until his death in January 2015 when a deal was brokered via John Fasal with the current vendor. The car was still Spanish registered when the latter purchased the car in August 2015. At that time the Rolls-Royce was still registered with its Madrid number, 'M.52.855'. During the present ownership some light restoration has been carried out, including repainting in the same colour the car was when at Biarritz in 1935. There are bills on file totalling €82,000 for these works.
A worthy contender for honours at prestigious concours venues such as Pebble Beach and Amelia Island, this magnificent Rolls-Royce 20/25hp is worthy of closer inspection. Bonhams would like to thank John Fasal for his assistance in the preparation of this description.
