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Details
1933 ROLLS-ROYCE 20/25 SHOOTING BRAKE
COACHWORK BY RIPPON BROS
Chassis No. GBA 56
Brewster green bonnet and side panels with wood paneling, black roof and brown interior
Engine: six cylinder, overhead valve, 3,699cc; Gearbox: four-speed manual with synchromesh between third and fourth; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel drum with mechanical servo driven from the gearbox and wire "rope" operation. Right hand drive.
The recession that followed the First World War influenced Rolls-Royce, who subsequently introduced a smaller model (to complement the 40/50 Ghost) which was better suited to the prevailing economic climate. In 1922 the 20 HP model was launched, maintaining the standard of engineering which had made Rolls-Royce world famous but, because of its size, being cheaper and very much an owner-driven motor car. It was a commercial success, and the six cylinder monobloc overhead valve design with detachable cylinder head, in unit with the clutch and gearbox, was to become the basis of all future six cylinder cars until the late 1940s. The 20 HP evolved into the 20/25 in 1929, the engine capacity being increased to 3.6 litres with a resultant brisker performance and greater flexibility in top gear.
According to the build sheet records, this 20/25 was initially ordered with enclosed limousine coachwork for J. McNair Snadden of Blau Drummond, Stirling, Scotland. Whether Mr. Snadden took delivery of the Rolls-Royce with such coachwork is unknown because by the outbreak of the Second World War, the car was sporting the shooting brake body by Rippon Bros. that it still carries, and was appropriately in service on a Scottish sporting estate. The Royal Army subsequently requisitioned the car and its colorful adventures thereafter included active service in the North African desert. It was here that the car collected some scars of battle and in the 1970s it appeared at Automotive Restorations in Stratford, CT, still in its camouflage livery and sporting several bullet holes...no doubt as a result of action against Rommel and company. The owner at the time commissioned a complete restoration but then seemingly lost interest along the way, so the car sat unfinished until the current owner, twenty years later, came to the rescue when collecting his Bentley from the same restoration shop.
Thus the restoration continued including stripping the metalwork and repainting in Brewster green and rechroming the brightwork except the radiator shell where the nickel plating was fine. The woodwork had been previously stripped and revarnished so did not need any more attention. The front seats had also been refurbished so only the back bench seat and jump seats required attention. The flooring was recovered in fluted rubber matting. Little mechanical work was needed since the motor ran so well and has always been reliable, although the car was rewired and the starter was rebuilt. The oil pressure is excellent, the car starts first time, runs well and has been completely trouble free in its current ownership. The owner is a true enthusiast and has had the car restored properly, such as the correct varnished wood frame roof tightly covered in rubberized canvas, done in the same way as woodies were originally built. He has even kept the Ace wheel discs, as found, in their desert camo.
GBA 56 has clearly had a colorful life and we are delighted to be offering it for sale. Rolls-Royce Shooting Brakes are always interesting and we recommend close inspection of this lovely car.
COACHWORK BY RIPPON BROS
Chassis No. GBA 56
Brewster green bonnet and side panels with wood paneling, black roof and brown interior
Engine: six cylinder, overhead valve, 3,699cc; Gearbox: four-speed manual with synchromesh between third and fourth; Suspension: semi-elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four wheel drum with mechanical servo driven from the gearbox and wire "rope" operation. Right hand drive.
The recession that followed the First World War influenced Rolls-Royce, who subsequently introduced a smaller model (to complement the 40/50 Ghost) which was better suited to the prevailing economic climate. In 1922 the 20 HP model was launched, maintaining the standard of engineering which had made Rolls-Royce world famous but, because of its size, being cheaper and very much an owner-driven motor car. It was a commercial success, and the six cylinder monobloc overhead valve design with detachable cylinder head, in unit with the clutch and gearbox, was to become the basis of all future six cylinder cars until the late 1940s. The 20 HP evolved into the 20/25 in 1929, the engine capacity being increased to 3.6 litres with a resultant brisker performance and greater flexibility in top gear.
According to the build sheet records, this 20/25 was initially ordered with enclosed limousine coachwork for J. McNair Snadden of Blau Drummond, Stirling, Scotland. Whether Mr. Snadden took delivery of the Rolls-Royce with such coachwork is unknown because by the outbreak of the Second World War, the car was sporting the shooting brake body by Rippon Bros. that it still carries, and was appropriately in service on a Scottish sporting estate. The Royal Army subsequently requisitioned the car and its colorful adventures thereafter included active service in the North African desert. It was here that the car collected some scars of battle and in the 1970s it appeared at Automotive Restorations in Stratford, CT, still in its camouflage livery and sporting several bullet holes...no doubt as a result of action against Rommel and company. The owner at the time commissioned a complete restoration but then seemingly lost interest along the way, so the car sat unfinished until the current owner, twenty years later, came to the rescue when collecting his Bentley from the same restoration shop.
Thus the restoration continued including stripping the metalwork and repainting in Brewster green and rechroming the brightwork except the radiator shell where the nickel plating was fine. The woodwork had been previously stripped and revarnished so did not need any more attention. The front seats had also been refurbished so only the back bench seat and jump seats required attention. The flooring was recovered in fluted rubber matting. Little mechanical work was needed since the motor ran so well and has always been reliable, although the car was rewired and the starter was rebuilt. The oil pressure is excellent, the car starts first time, runs well and has been completely trouble free in its current ownership. The owner is a true enthusiast and has had the car restored properly, such as the correct varnished wood frame roof tightly covered in rubberized canvas, done in the same way as woodies were originally built. He has even kept the Ace wheel discs, as found, in their desert camo.
GBA 56 has clearly had a colorful life and we are delighted to be offering it for sale. Rolls-Royce Shooting Brakes are always interesting and we recommend close inspection of this lovely car.