Rolls-Royce 20/25

SALE AGREED


An unusual and very appealing car, being one of a small number of 20/25s bodied by William Arnold, and having a very ‘swoopy’ appearance, with a long, flowing tail design, suitably named ‘Airline’. The car is in good, sound condition, is running well, and is clean & tidy, with excellent black leather interior. Fitted with a large sliding sunroof, which adds appeal, and comes with a selection of original tools. Offered prepared, serviced and MoT tested until September 2016.

Chassis No. GEH4 Reg No. VDY 310 Price £39,500

Snippets: From MacDonald to Clapp:

The first owner was Hugh Clapp who in July of 1935 (the same year that he took possession of GEH4) changed his name by deed poll from Hugh Alexander Ross MacDonald to Hugh Clapp. Why did he do this? Was there a family will involved or a family squabble – who knows. Hugh Clapp was employed by Cowley & Richardson of Manchester – bottlers, soft drink manufactures & wine/spirit merchants. The company had been formed by James Cowley & Edwin Richardson in the late 1800s but the partnership was dissolved in 1911 with Edwin Richardson carrying on as a sole trader. In 1954 Cowley & Richardson registered as a private company with a capital of £100 in £1 shares with Hugh Clapp by now Managing Director. In 1962 Cowley & Richardson were acquired by Gibbs Keg Breweries with Hugh Clapp retaining a seat on the board; Gibbs bought out many smaller firms including the Clough Springs Brewery & Rossendale Brewery but within 12 months Gibbs themselves faced financial difficulties & the firm was wound up; some of their acquisitions were sold off including Lancashire Clubs Brewery which reopened as a Vinegar Brewery for Hammonds Sauce of Shipley. We have been able to confirm that during the 1940s Hugh Clapp raced for “Ecurie Lapin Blanc” which translates as “Stable or String of White Rabbits” this was the official racing team of HRG (the name was made up from the surnames of E. Halford, G. Robins & H. Godfrey).