Rolls-Royce 20/25 (1931)

SALE AGREED

Something of a project, this car is unusual, handsome and vintage in design. The car is in need of some attention, including to the engine, but has lots of potential and appeal. Being an early 20/25, the car has the advantage of being vintage in character, but with the attraction of the larger engine compared to the 20hp that preceded it. Features of interest include early type instruments and 'short' radiator, brass-edged running boards, partly fabric-covered coachwork, ivory door furniture, and draught-excluding vents over the door windows. The paintwork is older but useable, and the interior, in dark blue leather front and rear including the occasional seats, is in lovely condition. Offered as a project, but by no means needing a full restoration.

Chassis No. GNS4 Reg. No. GN 1863

Snippets: Tobacco & Madeira
The 1st owner of GNS4 was William Henry Blandy (1873/1938), a director of Imperial Tobacco who previous worked with John Player & Sons. The Blandy surname is perhaps more widely associated with the fortified drink Madeira produced by the Blandy family on the isle of Madeira and indeed the two families are connected. William Blandy was an early motorist and there is a record that in November 1923 he was involved in a near collision with a Mr. Burridge who was the chauffeur to the actress Phyllis Neilson-Terry – a 3rd generation of this theatrical family. In 1936 W. H. Blandy purchased another Rolls-Royce (GAF62) from Sir Arthur Cory-White, but sadly he only had a couple of years with GAF62 as William died in 1938. William Blandy’s estate was sworn in at the amount of £300,823, with his estate being inherited by his widow Lizzie (Ethel) and their son Dr Wilfrid Boothby Blandy who had served in the Middle East during WWI prior to becoming a House Surgeon for Charing Cross Hospital; Wilfrid’s son Anthony, also became a doctor specialising in Paediatrics in the Nottingham district. The chassis cards show that in 1950 GNS4 was with Oliver John Whitley whose family connections are fascinating – his father was J. H Whitley speaker of the House of Commons, his maternal grandfather was Guilio Marchetti (1843/1931) an Italian who had fought alongside Garibaldi (after whom the biscuits are named) in the Italian struggle for unification; Oliver’s wife was Elspeth Forrester-Paton who maternal grandfather was the 1st Lord Craigmyle. Both Oliver’s and Elspeth family were involved in the manufacture of carpets & owned their own mills.

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