Lot 246: 1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Family Saloon by John Croall & Son of Edinburgh

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. This beautifully appointed Weyman style saloon by John Croall and Sons has a magnificent black fabric body covering its elegent coachwork. Established in the late 19th century John Croall coachworks of Castle Street Edinburgh acquired H J Mulliner coachbuilders just before World War 1 and later sold it to Rolls Royce in 1960, however they continued coachbuilding. This fine and rare example has much more sporting lines often associated with Mulliner designs. Its tan leather interior complements this well, making this an attractive and very desirable Rolls Royce. Said to be in excellent order throughout the car the car is supplied with a history file containing an MoT until June 2007, and the V5 logbook.