The 25/30 was introduced in 1936 to replace the 20/25 in the Rolls-Royce lineup as a more-compact alternative to the company’s flagship Phantom. While sharing its predecessor’s 3,350mm wheelbase, the 25/30 featured an upsized, higher-powered engine as well as refinements to the fuel, ignition, and brake systems. Bodywork was supplied by a variety of coachbuilders in the configuration of a client’s choice.
This example’s pillarless closed-roof coachwork was supplied by J. Gurney Nutting in Chelsea, London, and was…
The 25/30 was introduced in 1936 to replace the 20/25 in the Rolls-Royce lineup as a more-compact alternative to the company’s flagship Phantom. While sharing its predecessor’s 3,350mm wheelbase, the 25/30 featured an upsized, higher-powered engine as well as refinements to the fuel, ignition, and brake systems. Bodywork was supplied by a variety of coachbuilders in the configuration of a client’s choice.
This example’s pillarless closed-roof coachwork was supplied by J. Gurney Nutting in Chelsea, London, and was originally finished two shades of gray. The body was refinished in its current shade of black during the early-2000s refurbishment, which is also said to have included sheet metal and wood frame repairs. Features include rear-hinged doors, a louvered centrally hinged hood, a sliding sunroof, thermostatically controlled grille shutters, fender-mounted side mirrors, a central Lucas fog light, and a Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot.
Body-color Ace wheel discs with bright centers are fitted over the wire wheels, which are wrapped in Excelsior Stahl Sport Radial tires measuring 6.50R19. A red-painted spare is secured under a body-color cover at the rear of the car. Stopping is handled by cable- and rod-actuated drum brakes, while a mechanical clutch-type servo driven via the gearbox provides braking assistance proportionate to the speed of travel. The selling dealer notes a clunk on some occasions when braking.
The cabin is said to have been re-trimmed around the 1980s with red leather used over the front bucket seats, rear bench, and door panels in lieu of the original green upholstery. Additional features include color-keyed carpeting and headlining material, wood door caps and window frames, a right-hand shifter, and a heater. A fire extinguisher has been fitted under the dash. The interior woodwork is said to have been refurbished in Oregon in the 1980s.
The three-spoke steering wheel is situated at the right-hand side of a wood dash that houses an 80-mph speedometer, a clock, and gauges monitoring coolant temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and amperage. The five-digit odometer shows 40k miles, approximately 4k of which have been added under current ownership.
The 4,257cc inline-six is said to have been overhauled in 2003 and features seven main bearings, pushrod-actuated overhead valves, a Stromberg downdraft carburetor, twin SU electric fuel pumps, and coil ignition with a stand-by coil. An inline auxiliary coolant pump was added during the 2000s refurbishment to aid in circulation of the coolant to the rear cylinders. The battery was replaced in October 2022, at which time fluid and safety checks are said to have been performed.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on the top two gears. The selling dealer notes that the clutch is nearing the end of its adjustment threshold. Suspension incorporates semi-elliptical leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers, the latter of which are designed to allow adjustment to preferred firmness via a manette on the steering wheel hub. The chassis is also equipped with a pedal-operated central lubrication system.
The factory build sheet notes the Gurney Nutting coachwork as well as the origin colors and delivery to Allied Motors in Bombay. Additional copies of factory documents are shown in the gallery below, as are images of a hardbound book covering the car’s history, refurbishment, and participation in the 21 Gun Salute event in India.