Rolls-Royce’s 20/25 was created to correct a strategic error that arose after the lightweight “Twenty” arrived in 1922. The Twenty was a technological groundbreaker that advanced the owner’s role as driver. The dependence on chauffeurs was fracturing. Yet, prospective owners remained married to the favorite coachbuilders of the day, piling the same heavy bodies onto this smaller chassis as before, thereby hampering performance. The 20/25 boost provided enough horsepower to offset this tendency. The new model became Rolls-Royce’s most popular model, saving the company from the ravages of the Great Depression. This wonderful 1934 Rolls-Royce touring car by Park Ward listed here on eBay is one of the few long wheelbase 20/25s made. It is located in Solon, Ohio, and costs $44,000. The seller notes that he doesn’t drive this car enough and needs more space in his garage.
The Twenties inline six clocked in at less than half the displacement of the Silver Ghosts, but its lighter weight, improved carburetion, high-lift camshaft, and other advancements made it a limber runner. The 20/25 boosted RAC taxable output by 17% over the Twenty. The four-speed manual had synchros on third and fourth, the shocks became adjustable, the radiator shutters were thermostatically controlled, and a knob on the dash delivered chassis lubrication. Like many vehicles of its era, this car utilizes a starting carburetor.
The beautifully patina’d interior is notable for its glove soft leather, burl wood dash, and five-spoke steering wheel. The gearshift lever, like the drive position, is to the right. The rear seats feature service trays.
Looks, 
This view is so evocative of the Rolls marque: the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot topping a broad, upright radiator. And aside from its solidly British looks, this example comes with documentation from new, including photos taken at delivery. The seller mentions that many of this car’s components are “original” but I would make a phone call or perform an inspection to confirm that claim. The values of these grand old cars have been slipping in recent years. The seller’s asking price is on the high side for even a fine sedan; dropheads and cars bodied by niche coachbuilders sell for considerably more. Would you want a pre-war Rolls in your garage?
Great write-up Michelle.
What a gorgeous car. I’ve driven a fair amount of cars in my day but have not a clue what driving something like this would be like.
I know there are plenty of caveats about owning something like this, maintenance being the biggest one, but it sure seems reasonably priced for the amazing car you’d get..
GLWTS and congrats to whomever buys this.
Thank you!
Prewar cars have a lot of manual adjustments. You have to turn the fuel on (then off!), sometimes the magneto; the throttle and advance/retard might be on the steering wheel, and “throttle” means the choke. My Model A has a lever you have to move to signal that you might go into reverse. We also have a battery cutoff. Once started, gotta fiddle with the throttle and adv/retard so you don’t flood the car; once underway, better be good at double-clutching and don’t forget to plan for braking. This RR is a lot more sophisticated than the Model A, but it’s still not going to handle like it’s on rails. It’s a busy time in there!
“….have not a clue what driving something like this would be like.”
Me too, then I did drive one. It was very similar to driving a mid-50’s
long bed pick up truck with worn shock absorbers. Bur very engaging,
keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the wheel.
I’m going to simply say….. Wow. What a beautiful Rolls. The right hand gear shift on a right hand drive is a very interesting feature. I think it would take me a few minutes to get used to shifting with my left hand. I can only imagine someone who was used to shifting with their left hand, now suddenly having to shift with their right hand!!! Buy what beautiful bodywork on this one. Beautiful dash and leather too.
Michelle asked….. Would you want a pre-war Rolls in your garage? In a word yes…. Can I afford it. Sadly no. But I hope someone does and continues the long line of Caretakers this car has had all these years.
I lived in England for my first 14 years, Rhodesia for the next 10 years and South Africa for the next 50 years, all countries that drive on the left side of the road and where most of the cars are RHD but I did own several Yank tank LHD cars including a 4 early Mustangs but didn’t have a problem, all it meant was for me to hang back until I was sure that I had enough space to pass the car in front, hit the loud pedal and I was “A” for Away! In 1989 I visited America, flew here, there and everywhere, and hired LHD cars several times. Drove from San Diego to LA then from Baltimore to the Hershey Fall Meet. The only problem that I had to concentrate on was when doing a left hand turn onto another road as I found myself always hanging to the left which made me see flashing headlights several times! I soon got it right as I’m sure you would.
Now THAT is what I call a Rolls Royce! I wouldn’t want to own it but It would be fun for a wedding or a prom!!
What a beautiful example of an iconic shape (like the Coke bottle or the DC3) that defined an era! Alas, when my Significant Other tells me to “Fetch The Rolls”, she means “go to the bakery”, and I fear it will ever be so….
In the 1960’s close friend of my parents bought a ‘30’s era RR and drove it home from NYC to Detroit. The story I heard was that RR’s had jack at each corner of the car to change a tire. They had several flat tires on this trip. The husband had a broken shoulder so his wife had to crawl under the car to release the jack. Looking back at this story it seems odd. Does anyone know whether 4 jacks under each corner is true? He gave me a ride in the car one day. It was fusty but oh so elegant.
It’s true. Many up market English cars had jacks that were operated from inside the car to make the car rise up for taking the wheel off, but I didn’t know that the jack had to be released from outside the car. I’m coming up 87 and learned ANOTHER new thing today!
Park it in my neighborhood and each wheel will have a jack and a free cinder block…
In the 1960’s close friend of my parents bought a ‘30’s era RR and drove it home from NYC to Detroit. The story I heard was that RR had jack at each corner of the car to change a tire. They had several flat tires on this trip. The husband had a broken shoulder so his wife had to crawl under the car to release the jack. Looking back at this story it seems odd. Does anyone know whether 4 jacks under each corner is true? (He gave me a ride in the car one day. It was fusty, but oh so elegant.)
Nice car and good write-up.
though, without sound too pedantic (!) the mention of the engine changes boosting the “RAC taxable output ” are false. The RAC tax rating is simply a fiscal rating based on a formula of bore size and number of cylinders, it’s not based on actual torque/bhp
Beautiful car, but highly impractical. And even if I had the price, I would not want to own it, just admire it.
Yes many cars in Britain had hydraulic Jack’s one on each corner of the axles the system I believe was called Jackall. My Austin 16 1946 had the system operated from under the bonnet (hood) a handle was placed on the pump then moved backwards and forwards. An individual corner could be selected or all four corners. Advice if you come across a car so equipped do not get under the vehicle with blocks of hard wood there have been fatalities. Do you have Foyles War on television, look under the Woleseley see the Jack’s hanging down raised position.
Loved Foyle’s War.
Meant to say without blocks as safety precaution.
A subtle, elegant model with a good color combination, but the whitewalls would cause the original owner to have a conniption. Having driven a Rolls-Royce with right-hand drive and a right-hand shift lever, I can say it’s easy to get used to. For help with parts and maintenance, join a Rolls-Royce club.
My neighbor had a ’29. Gorgeous machine. Wish I could afford this one.