26th May, 2021 13:00

Imperial War Museum Duxford

 
Lot 71
 

1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Tourer
Displayed at the 1929 Olympia Motor Show

Sold for £92,250

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: UW2726
Chassis No: GX026
MOT: Exempt

  • Originally bodied by H.J. Mulliner as a Weymann Saloon, later rebodied as a 4-seater tourer
  • Matching chassis and engine numbers plus current ownership since 1994
  • Displayed at the 1929 Olympia Motor Show and then supplied new to Alfred Sainsbury
  • Retrimmed interior, new hood and tonneau cover by David Beswick coach trimming
  • Offered with chassis card records, collection of invoices and old MOT's
  • Bought by the vendor as a restored rolling chassis with the coachwork included
  • Understood to be a Tony Robinson body
  • Completed in 1997 and then used on many continental tours soon after

Introduced in 1929, the Rolls-Royce 20/25 enjoyed swifter acceleration and a higher top speed (up to 75mph) than the preceding 20 thanks to the adoption of a larger 3669cc OHV straight-six engine. Nearly 4,000 chassis were ultimately produced, making it the company’s best-selling model between the wars. Today’s Rolls-Royces are undoubtedly technological wonders in their own way, and the company, though no longer British owned, does at least conduct its manufacturing on English soil. Whether they match the majesty of their wholly British forbears is a matter of opinion, however.

Either way the presence of the matching numbers 1929 20/25 offered here takes some beating having been displayed at the 1929 Olympia Motor Show and being the 15th example sold to the public. Supplied new to Mr Alfred Sainsbury of the famous grocery chain, chassis GXO26 began life as a H.J. Mulliner-bodied Weymann Saloon. The original coachwork had long since fallen into disrepair by the time the vendor acquired the Rolls-Royce in 1994. In fact, at that time the 20/25 existed as a well restored rolling chassis with a handsome, but yet to be fitted, four-seater tourer body which is thought to have been crafted by Tony Robinson. Completing the project by 1997, the seller subsequently enjoyed ‘UW 2726’ on a number of Continental Tours. As part of the works, the interior was re-upholstered and a new hood and tonneau cover made by David Beswick Coach Trimming. Boasting a dynamo starter and full flow oil filter, the Rolls-Royce is said to possess ‘very good oil pressure’ not to mention ‘a fully functional central chassis lubrication system’. Having had its brakes relined c.4,500 miles ago, the 20/25 is described by the vendor as being in ‘very good’ condition with regards to its engine, gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim and bodywork. While, he rates the paintwork as ‘good’. Accompanied by chassis card records, collection of invoices and old MOT's.

For more information, please contact:
James McWilliam
james.mcwilliam@handh.co.uk
07943 584760

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 26th May, 2021

AUCTION VENUE
Imperial War Museum
Duxford
Cambridgeshire
CB22 4QR

About Imperial War Museum    

AUCTION VIEWING

Tuesday 25th May from 12pm to 6pm
Wednesday 26th May 2021 from 9am

BUYERS PREMIUM
12.5% (plus VAT @ 20%)

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