1937 Rolls Royce 25/30hp Sports Saloon
Coachwork by James Young
Registration no. 618 YUP
Chassis no. GUL73

A rare and lovely Rolls-Royce 25/30hp sports saloon bodied by James Young of Bromley, chassis number 'GUL33' is believed to be one of only three Rolls-Royces made to this design. Supplied through Rolls-Royce agents, W H Johnson & Sons of Kings Lynn, it was delivered to Major William Parker, an equerry to King George V (who died shortly before the car was delivered). This Rolls-Royce was a regular visitor to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk where Major Parker had a grace and favour residence - Babingly Hall.

It is understood that the car was parked up during WW2, passing thereafter into the ownership of Mr F Dane. An RAC inspection from 1956 states that the mileage at that time was 43,285, the Rolls-Royce then being in the ownership of a Mr Bell, who kept it for almost 50 years until his death in 2005. During his tenure, Mr Bell kept copious notes and a vast quantity of invoices and detailed correspondence relating to servicing, repair, and improvements, all of which may be found in the voluminous history file.

Between 1985 and 1986, the Rolls-Royce underwent a major restoration by Phantom Motors of Farnham which included a bare metal re-spray, rebuilt running-boards, full under-sealing, a replacement cylinder head with new valves/guides, and a stainless steel exhaust. The brakes were overhauled also, including a replacement servo and fresh linings. The interior leather and seats received attention, the woodwork was restored, and new carpets fitted. Attention to the electrics including fitting modern flashing indicators to supplement the original semaphore arms. The cost of these works amounted to over £15,000. The recorded mileage at this time was 85,882.

After Mr Bell's death, the Rolls-Royce passed through the hands of two further owners, who added fewer than 300 miles to the total, before its acquisition by the current owner in 2011. During his ownership the car has been sympathetically maintained and upgraded with various mechanical and cosmetic improvements, and comes with a correct Flying Lady mascot and two town caps. This Rolls-Royce 25/30 has attended numerous R-REC rallies in recent years, the mileage total increasing by some 1,500 since acquisition. The last owner states that the recorded mileage is circa 88,000 miles from new, which is backed up by hundreds of documents spanning some 60 years.

'GUL73' is finished in a pleasing deep red over black, the paintwork being really fine throughout. The interior boasts beautiful walnut woodwork with particularly fine figuring, featuring very delicate fillets round the window frames. The interior leather has been replaced in some areas but the seats themselves appear original, albeit re-Connollised. New leather-bound grey carpets are fitted throughout. Walnut picnic tables fold out of the front seat backs.

Described by the last owner as a first-time starter, this is a fine-driving Rolls-Royce in particularly good order with a documented low mileage. It is currently at The Priory Vintage Car Co for a service as well as a full check of both the timing and brake servo.