1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 James Young Saloon

The 20/25 HP chassis GAF68 was sold on 2nd November 1934 to Pass + Joyce Ltd., London, for “Stock”. In January 1935 it was delivered to James Young for a saloon body with division. The first owner was Lord Trent (John Campbell Boot), the second Baron Trent of Boots Chemists. He acquired the car in February 1935 and owned it for more than 20 years.

In the nineties the 20/25 HP resided in the USA, owned by Michael & Alexandra Pifer from Ohio. They sold the car in 1995 to mr Fred Kreeft who shipped it to Assendelft, The Netherlands. In 2007 it was acquired by mr Max Kornmann from Arnhem, The Netherlands, who enjoyed the car until 2014.

The Rolls-Royce 20/25 HP 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.

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 was used. Synchromesh was fitted to third and top gears from 1932.

The 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 had 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 calorstat.

This 20/25 HP James Young has always been kept in good condition and is ready to drive. In recent years it has been the subject of a restoration of considerable proportions. It was fitted with a new stainless steel exhaust, the engine was revised and got a new cylinder head and the starter motor was replaced. Body, hides and wood are in good condition. The tool box is complete and in 2015 the car was fitted with new wheel discs.