1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25

This 1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 is one of 3,827 examples produced between 1929 and 1936 and is fitted with fixed-head pillarless coupe bodywork by J Gurney Nutting of London. Chassis GOH73 was ordered by its London-based first owner via The Car Mart Ltd. in April 1935 and was delivered to him in February 1936. It was imported to the US in 1983, was purchased by its late owner in 2014, and won Excellence in Class at the 2021 Palm Beach Concours d’Elegance. The car is finished in black with silver coves and a red pinstripe, and power comes from a 3.7-liter OHV straight-six paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. Features include an electric secondary fuel pump, a Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, a central Lucas driving lamp, rear-hinged doors, trafficators, a sliding sunroof, and gray leather upholstery with black piping. This 20/25 is now offered by the seller on behalf of its late owner’s estate with copies of factory records and a Texas title. The Gurney Nutting fixed-head pillarless coupe bodywork is finished in black with silver coves and a red pinstripe and features polished brightwork, Lucas headlights and a central driving lamp, a front badge bar, thermostatically controlled radiator louvers, a Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, a louvered centrally hinged hood, rear-hinged doors, trafficators, a sliding sunroof, a bustle-back trunk, and dual taillights. There is a crack in the driver’s door glass. The painted 19″ wheels feature polished disc covers and Rolls-Royce-branded knock-off hubs, and they are mounted with Goodrich Silvertown bias-ply wide-whitewall tires. A matching spare wheel is fitted out back. The suspension incorporates semi-elliptical leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers, the latter of which are designed to allow adjustment to preferred firmness via a manette on the steering wheel hub. A Bijur single-shot chassis lubrication system was fitted by the factory. Stopping power is provided by mechanical servo-assisted drums at all four corners. The right-hand-drive cabin features mechanically adjustable front seats and a rear bench trimmed in gray pleated leather with black piping along with matching door panels and color-coordinated carpets. Equipment includes burl wood door caps and window frames as well as a fold-down rear armrest, while the right-hand-drive controls include a right-handed shifter and handbrake lever. The four-spoke steering wheel fronts a central dash panel housing an 85-mph VDO speedometer, a Rolls-Royce-branded clock, an ammeter, and gauges for water temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows under 4k miles. Total mileage is unknown. The 3.7-liter OHV straight-six features a cast-iron block and cylinder head along with a Rolls-Royce two-jet carburetor and an aluminum crankcase. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual gearbox. The car is equipped with an 18-gallon fuel tank as well as an electric secondary fuel pump. Corrosion is noted underneath. The Texas title notes that the VIN certification has been waived.