Rolls-Royce 20/25

Rolls-Royce 20/25
BMG443, Rolls Royce 20/25
Overview
Manufacturer	Rolls-Royce Ltd
Production	1929-1936 3827 made
Body and chassis
Body style	dependant on coachbuilder
Powertrain
Engine	3669 cc
Transmission	4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3.27 metres (128.7 in) 3.35 metres (131.9 in) from 1930
Length	4.57 metres (179.9 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Twenty
Successor	25/30

The Rolls-Royce 20/25 built between 1929 and 1936 succeeded the 20 hp as Rolls-Royce's "small car". It was intended to appeal to owner drivers, but many were sold to customers with chauffeurs.

GEngineering

The in-line 6-cylinder overhead-valve 20/25 hp engine was similar to that used in the 20 hp but was enlarged to 3,669 cc (223.9 cu in) by increasing the bore from 76 mm to 82 mm, with the stroke remaining at 114 mm. A single Rolls-Royce carburettor was used, and both coil and magneto ignition were fitted. The four-speed gearbox was mounted in unit with the engine and a traditional right-hand 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. Separate rear brakes were fitted for the handbrake. 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; later cars were fitted with automatic control via a thermostat.

The larger engine allowed the top speed to increase to 75 mph (121 km/h) but many owners had large limousine bodies fitted to the chassis, with the predictable degradation of performance.

Bodywork

Only the chassis and mechanical parts were made by Rolls-Royce. The body was made and fitted by a coachbuilder selected by the owner. Amongst the most respected coachbuilders who produced bodies for Rolls Royce cars are Park Ward, Thrupp & Maberly, Mulliner, Carlton and Hooper.

Film appearances

The Rolls Royce 20/25 hp is featured in films such as; The League of Gentlemen (1959), Father Came Too! (1963), The Brides of Fu Manchu (1966), To Be or Not To Be (1983).

A 1934 Muliner bodied car, chassis number (grc33), registration BMG443 was used many times by the BBC and some Hollywood and UK based movie makers, it's credits include:

'To The Manor Born' - where it was used as Audrey's much loved Rolls through the whole series.

Dad's Army - episode The Captain's Car, where the platoon stole it by accident from the mayor and camouflaged it.

Secret Ceremony - Universal Pictures film starring Elizabeth Taylor, Mia Farrow & Robert Mitchum

Au Pair Girls - A 1970s film starring John Le Mesurier, Richard O Sullivan, Trevor Bannister, Harrold Bennet,

Image gallery of different models

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rolls-Royce 20/25.

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  Rolls-Royce 20/25 Fixedhead Coupé 1932
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  Rolls-Royce 20/25 Fixedhead Coupé 1933
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  Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine 1933
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  Rolls-Royce 20/25 Saloon 1933
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  Rolls-Royce 20/25 Drophead Coupé 1934
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  Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine 1935
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  Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine 1935
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  20/25 HJ Mulliner Limousine
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  1934 20/25 HJ Mulliner Limousine

References