1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Hooper 6 Light Limousine

This sublime looking 20/25 is affectionally known as Beatrix. Beatrix is a Hooper 6 Light Limousine bodied example. Hooper had an illustrious history having been founded as far back as 1805 and becoming known as purveyors of carriages to “Royal and distinguished patrons.” Beatrix wears a design number 5900 body with a serial number of 8185 and wears it well.

Beatrix hails from August 1934 having been supplied by Jack Barclay of Hanover Square and proudly wearing the registration number BXX 35, the chassis number GWE 15, and the engine number Z9U. Still on her original registration number a full 90 years later, Beatrix’s early life remains a charming enigma appropriate to such a grand old lady.

We know plenty, however, of Beatrix’s life since she came under the stewardship of David and Barbara when they acquired her in 2013. Described as “a labour of love” David and Barbara have lavished Beatrix with care and attention. The parts expenditure alone in their ownership amounts to £12,000 with a 2014 respray adding a further £7,000 to that total. During this period Beatrix has wanted for nothing with attention being turned to matters both mechanical and aesthetic. The result is a true credit to David and Barbara and to the craftsmanship of both Rolls-Royce and Hooper.

With David and Barbara having travelled around 5,000 in the 20/25 during their ownership and with the odometer only now approaching 100,000 miles, the time is nigh for a reluctant sale. A house move and associated loss of sufficient garaging now necessitates a change of keeper for Beatrix. 

As part of their rolling program of improvements to their beloved 20/25 David and Barabra commissioned a full £7,000 respray in 2014. Around the time the brightwork was also re-chromed and the fabric roof re-covered. As a result, the external condition of the car looks mighty impressive. She presents in a regal looking Maroon over Black livery, thought to be the hue in which she left the factory. In traditional Rolls-Royce fashion of the period the black dresses the bottom (wings, running boards, sills) and the top (bonnet, roof and window frames) of the car with the maroon gracing the sections between and the wheels covers. A subtle, single gold coachline describes the car’s waist and helps delineate black from maroon. 

The external condition looks excellent throughout and commensurate with a 2014 professional respray and very light and careful use since. The tall flanks of the car, with their wide running boards and sweeping wings, contrast with a relatively low roofline. Perhaps this Hooper body would have met Rolls-Royce’s prescribed weight recommendation after all. The front is dominated by the deep Pantheon grill and Spirit of Ecstasy. This is flanked by the huge, and hugely impressive, twin Lucas, chromed bowl headlamps. These are augmented by a single, centrally mounted driving lamp which sits between an eye-catching pair of chromed horn trumpets.

The 19-inch Dunlop wheels are fitted with a body-coloured set of Ace Wheel Discs complete with their own circular gold coachline. These fit securely over the wire wheels and lend Beatrix an added dash of class as if any were needed. All six wheels (including the two side mounts which are reported as never having been used) are shod with a new and matching set of period-look Custom Classic 6.5 / 19 configuration tyres.

It is interesting to note that in Beatrix’s day the crushed velour type corded fabric of her passenger compartment was considered more prestigious and luxurious than leather. The practical and wipeable leather was reserved for the driver’s compartment only.

Although more austere in comparison to the sublime passenger compartment, the driver’s quarters remain positively well appointed by today’s minimal standards. This area is dominated by two well stuffed separate seats that meet in the middle to appear as one. These are finished in vertically pleated maroon leather which has been subject to a recent renovation and, as such, looks fantastic. This renovation extended to the pleated door cards complete with satchel-esque storage pockets.

The dashboard and door tops are finished in deeply varnished wood veneer. The instrument panel is well equipped with a collection of white on black Smiths gauges, all bearing the hallowed RR monogram. The four spoked alloy and Bakelite steering wheel is centred with an engine managing control unit. This allows the driver to adjust the fuel mixture, ignition timing and governor speed by way of three articulated levers. A full, original tool kit is situated in a shallow drawer beneath the passenger seat.

The sublime passenger compartment is sumptuously trimmed in the aforementioned luxury fabric in a sand hue. This combines with copious amounts of deeply varnished walnut veneer and a matching fitted wool rug to help this compartment to positively reek of opulence and privilege. The seating consists of a well stuffed bench with a central fold-down armrest. An inward facing pair of additional dicky seats fold out of the front bulkhead if and when required.

Just one of the charming details in here is the glass privacy screen which can be wound up and down and its accompanying pair of roller blinds. Less a case of what the butler saw than what the driver didn’t see.

The enlarged 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 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.

During their ownership David and Barbara have undertaken an impressive amount of mechanical work on the 20/25. The highlights of this include the cylinder head being overhauled and pressure tested, a new camshaft, new gaskets, the radiator re-cored and Calorstat overhauled, and a new stainless-steel exhaust being fitted. Additionally, the water pump has been overhauled, a full recent oils service, a clutch replacement, clutch and tappet adjustment undertaken and a dynamo and magneto overhaul. Beatrix has been fully re-wired in the correct cotton braided wire

The centre hinged bonnet lifts on both sides to afford excellent access to that straight six engine. Here polished alloys and brass mingle with black treated surfaces and embossed RR motifs. The underside of the car presents in a fine condition for a car of this vintage. Owner David points out a couple of minor quirks. He advises that the fuel gauge is not operational and that the charging circuit is not functioning correctly. He concludes, however, that “Beatrix starts, drives and stops extremely well.”

History Highlights

Beatrix comes with a fascinating and instructive paperwork file. 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 numerous earlier MoTs present too, with the last test having been performed in 2014.

More interesting, perhaps are the numerous documents here that reveal the handwritten factory build records for this car. These include test results, invoices and specification sheets from over 90 years ago. The bulk of the remainder of the file consists of numerous invoices for parts and services sourced to keep Beatrix in the fine fettle we find her in today. 

The 20/25 was an important model for Rolls-Royce. Its rare blend of qualities and attributes so endeared it to Rolls-Royce’s customers that it was successful enough to insulate the company from the significant prevailing economic headwinds of the 1930’s. Every Rolls-Royce produced since owes a debt of thanks to the 20/25. As such it is as important and desirable model that will surely only become more sought after as it approaches its 100th anniversary.

Beatrix is a credit to her owners with, clearly, no expense having been spared in giving her the later life she deserves. The various stages of restoration have served Beatrix well and resulted in a condition that is frankly inspiring for a vehicle of over 90 years old. Beatrix is now ready for a new home, one that will inevitably be enhanced by the presence of such a grand old Rolls-Royce.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 10am-4pm, 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’.