1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Mann Egerton

We are delighted to be offering for sale a lovely 1935 Rolls-Royce 20/25 wearing formal limousine coachwork by Mann Egerton. It was shown at the Olympia Motor Show that same year before being sold to Mr Charles Ship of Bournemouth. He paid £1,679 for it.

A little research tells us that the car is listed in Tom C. Clarke’s Rolls-Royce 20/25 end edition book. See page 212 for some light bedtime reading.

The car is chassis number GLG12 with its original engine no T6D, making this a matching numbers car.

We believe the car was used in and around Bournemouth until the beginning of the war and then there is a gap until 1954 when the old brown logbook shows a change of ownership. We then believe the Rolls was used for hire purposes in London including two East End taxi dealers until 1972.

The car has also we believe subsequently been used as a wedding car, a role to which it is most eminently suitable. What a lovely way to travel in style on such a special day.

Moons Funeral Service in Poulton-Le-Fylde also owned the car and used it we imagine to carry mourners.

The car was bought in August 2021 by the Inchcape Group, the attraction being that Mann Egerton is now part of their extensive organisation. They report that it drives well.

This is a most elegant and stately car, finished in black over maroon. We can feel sure there has been an extensive restoration at some point in the Rolls-Royce’s life, but we have no details of when this was done or by whom. As such, the car will have to speak for itself and to that end, you will find an exhaustive collection of pictures in our gallery.

We are impressed by the overall condition and because of the use the car has had in say the last two decades of its life, it will have been safely garaged, polished and generally cared for.

There’s plenty of shiny chrome, the highlight of which is of course the imposing radiator grille, with the Spirit of Ecstasy lady sat proudly atop. The bumpers could do with replating if we are being picky.

Wheels are painted to match in maroon, and each has a tyre fitted with ample tread.

Semaphore indicators hark back to a distant time, but these are in working order.

The front seats are upholstered in beautiful brown leather with door cards to match. There’s plenty of wood trim, both on the dashboard and door tops, all in decent condition.

However, this car is all about the rear compartment, where occupants sit in the lap of luxury. No cold leather here, instead soft and warm cloth adorns the seats. With the armrest down, there space for two to spread out and relax.

However, should an extra couple of people need to be carried, a pair of matching cloth seats can be unfolded.

As per the front, there is plenty of wood trim for that gentleman’s club feel and a glass screen is fitted so that all conversation can be kept secret from the chauffeur.

A great deal of money and expense has no doubt gone in to restoring this lovely interior and it really is rather splendid.

Doubtless, any bride would we are sure be delighted to make the journey to her wedding ceremony in the back of this Rolls-Royce. It will look great in the wedding photographs too.

Boot space is modest to say the least, not a big issue with this type of car we guess. With the boot lid dropped, a trunk could be attached if required.

We always include plenty of photographs of a car’s underside and that is most definitely the case here. We are mightily impressed with the condition. We doubt the car has been used in adverse weather very much and will no doubt have been properly stored away from the elements when not in use. We would also mention that the car has covered less than 3,000 miles in the last sixteen years.

There are also plenty of snaps of the engine bay, which looks to be in neat and tidy condition.

Our sellers tell us that the car starts on the button, once you learn the correct procedure, and drives well. It has enough power to keep up with modern traffic.

There are plenty of old MoT certificates in the paperwork section and the online history tells us that the last test was carried out in 2012, the mileage then recorded was 73,015. Only a thousand miles or thereabouts have been covered since.

There are some interesting documents from the car’s very early days – build sheets etc. These usually get lost along the way, so they are nice to see.

We cannot tell you when the car was restored, but in our eyes, it appears to have been done to a high standard.

Latter day invoices for work are few and far between, but we can see a new clutch was fitted in 2005! There are also some service sheet records from 2001 to 2008.

Our sellers have not needed to do any work to the Rolls during their eighteen-month period of ownership.

This striking Rolls-Royce, an enclosed limousine no less, would make a wonderful addition to any car collection. It is usable and would make a great car for family days out, with perhaps a picnic hamper attached to the rear.

More likely is the car’s undoubted money-earning potential as a striking and elegant wedding car. Far classier than the oh-so-common white Silver Shadow.

Whatever the projected use, we are quite sure the new owner will be delighted with the car.

We estimate the car will sell for between £20,000 and £25,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.