"The Rolls-Royce 20/25 was built between 1929 and 1936 and succeeded the 20hp as Rolls-Royce's ‘small car’. It was intended to appeal to owner drivers but many were sold to customers with chauffeurs. The in-line six cylinder overhead valve engine was similar to that used in the 20hp but was enlarged to 3699cc by increasing the bore from 76mm to 82mm with the stroke remaining at 114mm. A single Rolls-Royce carburettor was used and both coil and magneto ignitions were fitted. The four speed gearbox was mounted in unit with the engine and a traditional righthand change used. Synchromesh was fitted to third and top gears from 1932. The substantial chassis had rigid front and rear axles suspended by half elliptic springs with braking on all four wheels assisted by a mechanical servo. The famous Rolls-Royce radiator with triangular top was used with vertical louvres, the angle of which could be adjusted to control engine cooling. To begin with, the radiator shutters were operated manually via a lever on the dash with later cars fitted with automatic control via a thermostat. The larger engine allowed for an increase in top speed but many owners had large limousine bodies fitted to the chassis resulting in a decline in performance.
Rippon Brothers had started out building carriages in the 1870’s, and by 1904 were established as a coachbuilder and seller of the Renault and Darracq cars, adding a franchise for Rolls-Royce in 1905. They were strongly rooted in the North of England with premises in Huddersfield, Bradford and Wakefield. Coachbuilding ended in 1952 but Rippon Brothers opened a showroom in Sheffield and continued sales until the 1970’s.
This 20/25 with Rippon body is presented in black over cream bodywork with brown leather trim. An original righthand drive example with, we are informed, matching numbers. Purchased by our vendor as part of a significant private collection in 1994 this example has benefitted from continual annual maintenance and when not in use stored inside in a professional ventilated carcoon. Supplied with a UK V5C registration document and old MoT certificates. This is a lovely example of a vintage Rolls-Royce – offered at great value.
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