Rolls-Royce 20/25 Drophead Coupe by Worblaufen, 1931
Rolls-Royce 20/25 I
Rolls-Royce 20/25 I•
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Chassis No.: GFT31
Engine No.: B6H
Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania
$66,000 USD | Sold
- Offered from the collection of John Moir
- An unusually attractive “little Rolls-Royce”
- Beautiful and modern Swiss bodywork
- An ideal basis for restoration
Addendum
Please note that this lot does not come with a spare cylinder head as listed.
Est. 100 bhp, 3,680 cc OHV inline six-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, front and rear semi-elliptic leaf springs, live rear axle, and power-assisted mechanical four-wheel drum brakes. Wheelbase: 131.9 in.
This Rolls-Royce 20/25, chassis number GFT31, is recorded in factory documentation, copies of which have been supplied by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club, as having been built for Mr. J. Rubin, of Geneva, Switzerland. Its original coachwork was first attributed to Million Guiet, of Paris, France, and then to Gangloff. By 1937, the car had come into the ownership of Monsieur Albert Nobele, of Geneva, and it is believed that at that time the present drophead coupe body was constructed by Fritz Ramseier’s Carrosserie Worblaufen.
The car was advertised in October 1958 by J.V. Neff, of Newport Beach, California, who is believed to have sold it to Ric Brecheisen, of Phoenix, Arizona, who owned it until the late 1960s. The next known owner was C. Fred Brown, of Portsmouth, Ohio, who had believed, incorrectly, that the body was built by Gangloff. It then passed to David Rosenheim, of West End, New Jersey, who is believed to have acquired it from a New York dealer. It was sold from Mr. Rosenheim’s estate by John P. Smalley in 1983, and it eventually found its way into the hands of Johnny Pascucci, of Meriden, Connecticut, from whom Mr. Moir acquired it.
This Rolls is believed to have been originally finished in black, and it was refinished in its present blue at some point in the early 1980s. The paint is now significantly aged, and along with the leather interior, it would benefit from replacement. In addition, the fabric top is significantly mildewed, and the front bumper has a large crack. Nonetheless, the car remains very intact and accurate, and it would be best described as a good base for restoration. Mr. Moir notes that the car is presently outfitted with a Chevrolet carburetor, but he has a correct carburetor that will be supplied with the car, along with a spare cylinder head.
Also accompanying the car is a small file containing various information on the coachbuilder and research performed on the history of the car and its previous owners.
This car wears one of the most attractive bodies fitted to the 20/25 chassis, and its beautiful Swiss coachwork makes it a desirable project for the avid Rolls-Royce enthusiast.
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/hf14/lots/r168-1931-rollsroyce-2025-drophead-coupe-by-worblaufen/
Cost
242,385 AED
