BODYWORK: The early designs of the British coachbuilder Gurney Nutting were first presented at the London Motor Show in October 1920. After a fire destroyed its Croydon premises during Easter of 1923, the company —then known as J. Gurney Nutting & Company Ltd— relocated closer to its clientele, to prestigious Elystan Street, just off King’s Road in Chelsea, London. Two years later, the firm built its first Rolls-Royce body, and soon afterwards began supplying cars to the Duke of York, Prince George, and other members of the Royal Family. Later, a new Rolls-Royce Phantom was built for Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII), and in the early 1930s, the company was granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment.

The 1930s marked the company’s golden era. It produced bespoke coachwork on a range of chassis, but it was particularly celebrated for its Rolls-Royce and Bentley creations —notably its elegant Coupés de Ville and Sedancas de Ville. Designer A. E. “Mac” McNeil was acclaimed for his perfectly balanced proportions and intuitively graceful, flowing lines. In 1931, the company gained further fame by building the streamlined and fully enclosed body for Sir Malcolm Campbell’s “Bluebird”, the car that set the world land-speed record.

The body of this example is a Sports Saloon, defined by its clean yet elegant and fluid lines. It was restored several decades ago and, although generally well preserved, now displays light patina and some minor cosmetic imperfections.

MECHANICAL CONDITION: Originally engineered for enhanced performance and power, the 20/25 hp engine featured an increased bore of 3¼ inches, raising displacement from 3,128 cc to 3,667 cc. This modest change significantly improved power output, lifting the RAC rating from 20 hp to 24½ hp. This particular vehicle has remained unused in recent years and will require a mechanical inspection before returning to the road.

INTERIOR: The cabin is luxuriously trimmed in fine English leather and wood veneers with exquisite marquetry inlays. It features a division window separating the driver’s compartment from the rear passenger area, operated by a retractable glass panel. Overall, the interior is in very good condition; the front leather upholstery shows a tasteful degree of patina consistent with age and use.

DOCUMENTS: Registered as a Historic Vehicle in Spain, with all corresponding exemptions and advantages.

HISTORY: In 1929, the Twenty model was succeeded by the 20/25 hp, equipped with a more powerful engine that offered improved acceleration and higher top speed, while also allowing coachbuilders to design larger, more comfortable bodies. Built on the same chassis as the earlier Twenty, it benefited from technical innovations introduced in the contemporary Phantom II, such as a synchromesh gearbox and centralised chassis lubrication.

This example, one of the final 20/25 hp units produced, was originally sold by Harold Radford & Co. Ltd., the renowned London Rolls-Royce dealership. It spent most of its life in England before being imported to Spain around thirty years ago. Since then, it has had a single owner —a dedicated collector— who drove it extensively in long-distance rallies, though in the last decade it has seen little use.