Lot 323: 1929 Rolls-Royce 20/25hp 3.6litre Landaulette

This exceptionally early Rolls-Royce 20/25hp, one of a small batch of 20hp cars originally bearing chassis nos. in the GVO series and re-numbered before despatch from the works to 20/25hp specification, was ordered by French Rolls-Royce agents for display at the exclusive Paris Show in October 1929. Chassis order/ build cards offered with the car confirm that the favoured coachbuilders were Binder, surely ranking amongst Paris’s finest, and the car was destined for Madame Marthe de Savigny who specified Sedanca styling. History does not record the date of change in the coachwork to landaulette specification and this remains a mystery for the next owner to solve, however it appears evident that the present coachwork is almost certainly of European origin and possibly even by Binder – and what an elegant car indeed in which to parade in the Bois de Boulogne or make one’s race day entrance at Longchamps. Charming Continental style features include the door catches and fittings, the fine ivory door pulls to the chauffeur’s compartment, and the quintessentially French side and rear lamps, while quality coachwork refinements such as the chrome strips at the base of the side widows, the double waistline beadings and elegant bumpers front and rear set this car head and shoulders above its peer group. Driving equipment includes twin side-mounted spare wheels, Scintilla ignition switch and a comprehensive and complete instrument panel, including speedometer calibrated for both English and Continental touring, for which GXO111 is equipped with a neat luggage carrier. The original Lucas No.40 oil can and a Bosch electric horn nestle under the bonnet. English and French chassis plates are mounted either side of the firewall. GXO 111 is thought to have remained in France all of its life until returning to England in 2006. Following a period of display in a French museum gentle re-commissioning was undertaken by a Rolls-Royce aficionado and repair specialist in England, (bills are available), the work embracing attention to steering, exhaust system, autovac and fuel system and upon completion the car was extensively road tested and found to drive well. He reported that in his opinion a new cylinder head had been fitted in recent years and the radiator re-conditioned. The car has not been used since this work was done but has been started regularly. A new battery has recently been fitted, The coachwork is very smartly liveried in dark blue, while the interior is furnished in black leather to the front with beige cloth to the rear, all recently expertly replaced. Silk pulls, occasional rear seats, quality wooden cappings with chequered inlay, a vanity unit with clock and a sliding passenger division complete the high specification, while no touring car would be fully complete without the nicely matured Louis Vuitton luggage trunk offered with this car. The nickel silver radiator has kept particularly well. The hood folds neatly down to show off to high advantage the proud owner or the happy bride and groom. GXO111 comes with wheel spanner, wheel disc spanner and starting handle, together with Swansea registration document, tax to May 2008 and an only recently expired MOT, photocopies of the French carte grise and of course the universally recognised Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot.