Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine by Crosbie, 1932
Rolls-Royce 20/25 I
Rolls-Royce 20/25 I•
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Chassis No.: GMU74
Engine No.: B7J
Registration: WD 4516
By the late 1920s the trend for ever-heavier coachwork on the Rolls-Royce 20hp had inevitably had a detrimental effect on performance. Rolls-Royce’s solution was to increase the comparatively small six-cylinder engine’s capacity from just over three litres to 3,699cc which, together with a stronger crankshaft allowing increased rpm, raised its output to 25hp. Over the past eight decades the 20/25hp Rolls-Royce has earned an enviable reputation of being among the most dependable, satisfying, and highest quality pre-war models of all. Produced from 1929 to 1935, it represented the marque’s determined effort to move away from massive formal cars, routinely chauffeur-driven, to the newly fashionable owner-driver market for the wealthy private owner-driver.
This lovely 1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine with coachwork by Crosbie & Dunn, was supplied new in Birmingham to F. Lensdale-Allen from Sutton Coalfield. The next mention of ownership in the chassis cards supplied by the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club was H. Morris of Birmingham with a note referring to a letter dated 23rd July 1954 that the car will be shipped to Rhodesia in near future. The last listing of change of ownership was in Rhodesia 16th July 1965 to Major M.E. Few. This 20/25 was purchased by the current owner in the early 1980’s just after it had been returned to the UK from South Africa and has been in his ownership ever since.
This rare Rolls-Royce Limousine by Crosbie & Dunn is finished in the fetching colour combination of blue bodywork with a black roof, bonnet top and wings with black leather to the front compartment and dark blue cloth to the rear. This 20/25 comes with nice original features including intercom between front and rear compartments, a full set of rear window blinds and a Brooks style trunk on the rear luggage rack. This car is supplied with a V5C registration document, the chassis cards from the RREC and a MoT test certificate which expires in July 2024. If you are a looking for an immensely usable 20/25 in very good order, this example should not be overlooked.
