Jon's 1935 Rolls-Royce.
The car is a 1935 Rolls-Royce model 20/25. The model 20/25 was the
smaller of the two models that Rolls-Royce produced. It was intended to
be owner-driven. Rolls-Royce completed the chassis on June 1, 1935. Mr.
G.F. French was the first owner, who had the chassis delivered to the
English coachbuilder, Freestone & Webb. It was not until after WW II
that Rolls-Royce supplied completed motorcars.
At Mr. French's direction Freestone & Webb fabricated a fixed head coupe entirely of hand-formed aluminum, which they delivered to him late in 1935. Some of the features of this motorcar are coachbuilder sun-roof, built-in jacking system, centralized chassis lubrication system, servo-assisted mechanical drum brakes, trafficators/direction indicators in body behind the front doors, pull-down wool visors, privacy shade for rear window that is driver-operated, and extensive specialized tool kit. It is powered by its original 3.7l OHV in-line six making about 100 hp. The transmission has four speeds with synchos in 3rd and 4th. The motorcar cruises easily at 45-50 mph, having a top speed of 72-74 mph. She currently has 88,000 miles on the odometer and her clock still keeps accurate time
It was exported to the USA in the late 70's and purchased by the 8th owner. We are the 9th owners. We have enjoyed her since becoming the winning bidder on eBay nine years ago. She still carries her original license plate. I perform all the maintenance and repair work, as well as the refinishing of the burled walnut and mahogany trim. This is assisted by the original, comprehensive owner's handbook, original tool kit, which even includes extra valve springs and lead washers used for wheel balancing, and factory service manual. She will never be a trailer queen.....we enjoy driving her too much.
We participated in the Mad Dogs & Englishmen show at the Gilmore Museum on July 11, 2010. This is the largest all-British show in the Midwest. We were honored with First Place in the Rolls-Royce class. We were especially pleased, since a number of the twenty other Rolls-Royce motorcars were beautifully restored examples
Thank you for your interest. If you are going to be crazy, it's best the be Car Crazy!
-Jon
