Beschreibung:

Rolls-Royce agents, Messrs H R Owen Ltd. of 17 Berkeley St, Mayfair, London, were responsible for surely the most elegant multi-purpose coachwork ever fitted to the 20/25hp Rolls-Royce chassis. They commissioned J Gurney Nutting & Co. Ltd. of Chelsea to build two exclusive coupé designs on this chassis – marketed as the Owen Sedanca Coupés, one having a complete folding-down hood and the fixed-head version providing the option of open motoring for the driver and passengers. The stylish two-door coachwork offered comfortable accommodation for four passengers with snug accommodation for winter motoring and yet all the advantages of open-air motoring in the long hot summers of the 1930’s. By 1933 the 20/25hp Rolls-Royce was firmly established as the market leader in its class, a development from the hugely successful 20hp model and powered by the 3,669cc, silky smooth, six-cylinder engine. Performance and compression ratio had been progressively improved since its introduction in 1929 and in 1932 synchromesh gears on third and top were standard fittings. The 20/25hp was Rolls-Royce’s most successful model built prior to World War II, some 3,827 examples leaving the production line at Derby. Chassis no. GBA 73 was first registered in October 1933, its first owner, H L Faber Esq, choosing formal saloon coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly. Its subsequent history is not recorded but the car was acquired in chassis form by its present owner who embarked upon a fastidious restoration, meticulously copying the design and style of the Gurney Nutting Owen Sedanca Coupé. The restoration embraced a total strip and rebuild of all major mechanical components, the brief being to ensure that this car would be well capable of embarking upon the most testing continental tours. Since restoration in 1997 the car has participated successfully in several such events as well as taking part in many events in the U.K. It has carried off the winner’s laurels at eleven various car rallies in the U.K. and has an outstanding record at the most prestigious Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club events where competition is at its keenest. In 1998 it won the Douglas Wood Trophy for the best rebuild. The following year it was a concours winner at the Annual Rally and in the same year won the Best In Show at the R-R.E.C. North of England Rally at Harewood House. In 2003 it won a prestigious and coveted elegance award. GBA 73 is superbly presented in red livery with beige leather interior and oatmeal, leather-bound carpets. It is equipped with Lucas lighting with centre driving lamp, swivel spot lamp for the passenger and twin trumpet horns. The wheels are correctly furnished with Ace discs and the owner’s enthusiasm is reflected in the V.S.C.C., R-R.E.C., Royce Foundation and A.A. badges it carries. In correct Owen Sedanca style the coachwork is furnished with dummy pram irons, separate metal boot to the rear with hinged-down, comprehensively equipped tool set and a rear-mounted spare wheel. All this elegance is complemented by the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot adorning the radiator. This magnificent car can only be described as in concours condition in all areas but is also a most practical driving car being equipped with the overdrive modification. It comes with a Swansea V5 registration document, current road fund licence and MoT certificate valid to April 2005.