1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25 3 Position Drop Head Coupe

The car is a 1932 Rolls Royce 20/25 3-position DHC on its original registration of KY 2200. 

The vendor bought the car, which was complete, some quarter of a century ago to become the subject of a full and comprehensive restoration and upgrade carried out over three or so years by himself and his mechanic. 

The car left the factory as a long-type chassis and was then fitted with Hooper saloon limousine coachwork. 

It was rebodied as a 3-position DHC by the Southern Motor Company at some point in the post-war period.

The vendor’s restoration began with the removal of the Southern Motor Company body so that the engine and drive-train could be properly evaluated and overhauled.

The engine proved to be beyond salvation and the vendor sourced, bought and had rebuilt a blue-printed S1 engine, with new SU carbs, and an auto gearbox – the accompanying Bentley rocker box was changed for a Rolls-Royce version. The differential and prop-shaft were rebuilt at the same time.

The steering box was replaced with an hydraulic power steering unit, the chassis was stripped and rust-proofed, and the brakes were converted to a servo-assisted hydraulic system.

The body was stripped to bare metal and the repaint was entrusted to Patersons, a respected bodyshop based in Newmarket, Suffolk.

Various sympathetic electrical upgrades were incorporated, including wipers, screen washers and flashing indicators among others.

A new hood was commissioned, along with an entirely retrimmed leather interior and new carpets.

The car is quite capable of contending with the pace and demands of modern traffic and is a very rewarding and competent drive, both mechanically and dynamically. 

It would thank its next owner for taking the trouble to ensure that the engine always gets fully warmed-up before being turned off again. Short cold starts and stops will foul the plugs.

The vendor has enjoyed showing the car at a number of RREC rallies. He tells us that on one memorable occasion it was voted ‘The Car Most People Would Like to Take Home With Them’. 

Always garaged and never denied any appropriate time, effort or expense in the optimisation of its upkeep, the car is in very fine condition indeed.

The car was last serviced in May 2024 by Rolls-Royce specialist Glen Grindrod, a man who has known and worked on this car for many years.

This is a seriously good-looking car, of that there can be no doubt.

The bodywork is very straight and there are no dinks, dents, creases, ripples or folds anywhere that we can see.

The panel gaps and shut-lines are crisp and even, and the doors close with plenty of reassuring weight and certainty.

The lustrous and gleaming blue-over-cream paintwork is, to our eyes, particularly handsome and classy, and is perfectly complemented by the blue fabric hood, which is free of any nicks, holes, tears, stains or other aberrations of note that we’ve detected.

The chrome work on the bumpers, grille, lights, landaulette arms and trim is shiny and bright, and the wheels and tyres appear to be in thoroughly good order.

There are a few thin swirly scratches atop the front wings and in one or two other areas, but nothing to make a fuss about unless you’re really very fussy indeed.

The front valance panel ahead of the grille has some cracks to the paint at both sides where it meets the adjacent wings and there are also some cracks to the paint on the offside section of bodywork between the door and the bonnet. 

There are one or two paint chips and patches of flat paintwork on the bonnet.

Basically, though, it’s all really very impressive.

In terms of quality, condition and preservation, the interior is every bit a match for its exterior counterpart. 

The cream leather upholstery is in excellent condition, front and back, and the seats are supportive and comfortable. 

The leather has yet to earn more than one or two light creases, let alone any ingrained patina or signs of use and abuse.

The door cards are equally irreproachable in their condition and integrity.

So, too, are the dark blue carpets and mats, which contrast with the seats to mirror the colour balance of the exterior.

The hood lining is following the same script, as is most of the woodwork, save for a couple of minor scuffs and scratches to the dashboard.

The glove compartment door is reluctant to open at present and will need some gentle coaxing to free itself.

We didn’t press every button, flick every switch or twiddle every knob, but those we did press, flick and twiddle responded as instructed – and the vendor tells us that, as far as he knows, everything works as it should.

The engine bay is clean, dry and tidy. Everything appears to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car look to have a good deal of structural integrity and seem to us to be wholly uncompromised by time, weather or use.

We believe the car was delivered new to a Mr. W. Clayton of Bradford in June 1932, later finding a home with a Mr. Alfred Jopson in November

1936. 

Post-war, the car came into the ownership of Mr. H. Pound.  In 1966 it was recorded as being in the ownership of a Dr. R.V. Coxon of Oxford. 

Between then and 1998, when the car was auctioned, it had spent several years dry-stored in a Hampshire barn.

These anecdotal references aside, there is no unbroken, comprehensive history with the car except for the years it has spent with the vendor, where there are numerous bills and invoices attesting to the work carried out and the care lavished. 

Today, it comes with copies of some original build sheets, a recent, clear HPI report, A V5C and some copies of manuals and handbooks.

This is a very fine car and, although no longer in its original factory guise, it has been expertly rebodied and, in more recent years, sympathetically and sensitively restored to ensure the optimal balance between authenticity and usability.

This is a car you can use today, tomorrow and for many, many years to come – safe in the knowledge that all the heavy lifting has been done by other people.

We like it a great deal.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £45,000 - £55,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.