1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Barker Limousine

This stunning looking 20/25 is a Barker limousine bodied example. Barker had an illustrious history having been founded as far back as 1710 making carriages for the well-to-do. By the 1920’s, however, the demand for sturdier bodies resulted in Barker using heavier components rather than embracing developments in the use of light alloys. As such Barker bodies were considered at the heavy end of the spectrum ultimately leading to them being acquired by their key competitor, Hooper, in 1938.

Thanks to current owner, Nigel, we know more about this 20/25 than is sometimes the case. The first owner was a Clifford Hobday of Southend who bought the car new in May 1934. Hobday used the car until his death in 1952. An undertaker later bought the car off his widow (it was all black in those days) and used it until 1987. It then went to Wales where it was used as a wedding car, ultimately being laid up in a poor state. Nigel is a Rolls-Royce connoisseur, enthusiast and engineer and he acquired the car in 2009. He then set about restoring the car to its former glory. Hailing from a family of garage proprietors of 60-years standing, Nigel undertook much of the work himself. He comments that “they are fairly complex, but you just keep going!”

The car is a testament to Nigel’s vision and skill, and we suspect that he has actually managed to return it to better than its former glory. Quite the feat!

The Baker limousine body is likely bigger than Rolls-Royce had originally envisaged for the 20/25 but it certainly lends this example stacks of road presence. Some accompanying photographs show the car in an all-black livery in earlier times but today it presents in black over Old English White. In traditional Rolls-Royce fashion the black dresses the bottom (wings, running boards, sills) and the top (bonnet, roof and window frames) of the car with the white gracing the sections between and the wheels. This arrangement lends the already impressive car an added air of elegance and sophistication.

The external condition looks excellent throughout and commensurate with ownership by an enthusiast and serial Rolls-Royce restorer. Although the tall flanks of the car are deeply impressive, with their wide running boards and sweeping wings, it is the front and rear profiles that really slacken the jaw. The front is dominated by the deep Pantheon grill and obligatory Spirit of Ecstasy, but this dominance is challenged by the huge twin Lucas headlamps which are somewhere between dinner plate and dustbin lid sized.

At the rear it is the sublime steamer trunk style fitted luggage that draws the attention. This is finished in black and extends all the way from the chromed bumper up to the underside of the rear window. The face of the trunk is embossed with the familiar Rolls-Royce “double R” motif. The front of the trunk drops to create a platform onto which three separate and matching cases can be pulled. It is a beautifully conceived and engineered addition and an allegory for the standard of the rest of the car.

The 19-inch Dunlop wheels are fitted with a body-coloured set of Ace Wheel Discs. These fit securely over the wire wheels and lend the car a sleek and more aerodynamic look. The wheels are shod with a matching set of period look Firestone tyres in a 6.5 / 19 configuration.

The interior of the 20/25 is not a story of “haves and have nots” but rather “haves and have more.” Although more austere in comparison to the sublime passenger compartment, the driver’s quarters are none too shabby either. This area is dominated by a full width back rest and two separate seat bases that meet in the middle. These are finished in vertically pleated black leather. 

The dashboard and door tops are finished in deeply varnished wood veneer. The instrument panel is well equipped with a family of white on black Smiths gauges, bearing the RR monogram. The four spoked alloy and Bakelite steering wheel is centred with a sextant style control unit. This allows the driver to manage the fuel mixture, ignition timing and governor speed by way of three levers.

Needless to say, however, it can’t compare to the passenger compartment. Interestingly this area is exquisitely trimmed predominantly in a felt-type material, deemed more luxurious than leather at the time. This combines with copious amounts of deeply varnished walnut veneer and deep lambswool rugs to create an unrivalled air of luxury and opulence. The seating consists of a well stuffed bench with a pair of additional dicky seats folding out of the front bulkhead if and when required.

Just one of the charming details in here are the pair of heavy cord grab handles that would help steady the passengers if driver took a bend a little too enthusiastically.

The 3,699cc straight six engine helped to endow the 20/25 with a very competitive performance for the day, as we have seen. The 4-speed gearbox feeds power to the rear wheels and features synchromesh in 3rd and top gears. The traditional Rolls-Royce right hand gearchange is present. The cossetting suspension is courtesy of semi-elliptic leaf springs front and rear working in conjunction with hydraulic dampers. The brakes are drums all round with a mechanical servo motor driven from the gearbox.

The centre hinged bonnet lifts both sides to afford peerless access to that straight six engine. Plenty of polished alloys and brass mingle with black treated surfaces and embossed RR motifs. The deeply embossed alloy data plate proudly bears the chassis number of GNC8. The underside of the car presents in an amazing condition for a car of this vintage. Testament to both its diligent ownership and the innate quality of the Rolls-Royces of this period.

Current custodian, Nigel, reports that “once you get used to the right-hand gearchange, it goes very well and is so quiet!”

This 20/25 comes with a fascinating paperwork archive. Of course, the V5 registration document is present with the car classified as an Historic Vehicle. That renders it MoT exempt and VED zero rated in the UK. There are some earlier MoTs present too, with the last test having been performed in 2011.

It is the historic elements of the ephemera that are so fascinating, however. There are numerous documents here that detail the handwritten factory build records for this car. These include test results, invoices and specification sheets from over 90 years ago. Accompanying these are numerous instructive publications, articles and even the original registration document. Fascinating.

The 20/25 was an important model for Rolls-Royce. Its success and popularity enabled the firm to weather one of the worst financial storms the world has seen. In that sense, every iconic Rolls-Royce produced since has only been possible thanks to the 20/25. As such it is as important a model as it is a sublime and desirable vintage Rolls-Royce.

This example is a credit to the model and its owner. Its earlier restoration has aged very well, and the condition is frankly breathtaking for a vehicle of over 90 years old. The mechanical condition is reportedly to be very good and there are lots of period details to appreciate throughout. If you aspire to own an excellent example of one of the most important models from this world-renowned luxury car manufacturer, then look no further.

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’.