Lot 378: 1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25 by Windovers

By the late 1920s the trend for ever-heavier coachwork on the Rolls-Royce 20 HP 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. As with the 20 HP, the 20/25 was warmly received and proved immensely popular, soon more than doubling sales of the big Phantom II. Various detail improvements were made to the 20/25 during its seven year production life including rises in compression ratio in 1930 and 1932; the latter year also saw the introduction of synchromesh for the third and fourth gear ratios, thermostatically controlled radiator grille shutters, a one-shot centralised lubrication system and an electric fuel gauge. The 20/25 was produced from 1929 to 1935 during which time 3,792 cars were made. It was the successor to the 20hp model, the engine size being increased from 3.1 litres to 3.7 and performance improving accordingly. Contemporary road tests commented on the exquisite precision of all the controls, one saying that the car behaved so beautifully that it was difficult to drive badly. Flexibility and braking were outstanding and the chassis proved surprisingly brisk, 0-50mph taking approximately 20 seconds. GMU 57 was dispatched on 28th May 1932 and was fitted with 4 seater saloon coachwork by reputable coachbuilder, Windovers. The car still caries this same body to this day. All of the early UK history accompanies the car, including original invoices for work carried out and various letters and correspondence. The car spent most of its life in the UK before being shipped to its new owner in Belgium. More recently it has been the property of its Italian collector who has embarked upon a comprehensive restoration, currently the chassis is in a finished state. The original body has been restored and awaits painting and re-fitting. This car would make an extremely rewarding and easily finished project for anyone aspiring to acquire one of these finely engineered automobiles.La vettura, targata GMU 57, carrozzata dal noto Windovers, stata messa in circolazione il 28 maggio 1932.La carrozzeria ancora quella d'origine. L'auto accompagnata dalla documentazione inglese, che include fatture, lettere e corrispondenza varia. La vettura ha trascorso gran parte della sua vita in Gran Bretagna prima di essere spedita al nuovo proprietario in Belgio. Ultimamente stata posseduta da un collezionista italiano che si cimentato in un impegnativo restauro; la carrozzeria stata completata ed in attesa di essere verniciata e riassemblata.