1933 Rolls-Royce 20-25 HP – Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden 2021

Rolls-Royce’s reputation was cemented by the 40/50 hp Silver Ghost, produced from 1906 to 1925 and celebrated for its quality and reliability rather than sporting ambition. This philosophy carried forward into later luxury models. By the 1920s, Rolls-Royce introduced new flagship vehicles such as the Phantom I, II, and III. These cars featured large-displacement six-cylinder engines and maintained the brand’s focus on refinement.

Technical Details:

The Rolls-Royce 20-25 belongs to a generation of British luxury cars defined by large-capacity engines and conservative, durability-focused engineering. The car shown in the video is a 1933 Rolls-Royce 20-25, fitted with a front-mounted inline six-cylinder engine. Depending on production year, displacement is listed at 7,668 to 7,672 cubic centimeters, underscoring the scale at which Rolls-Royce operated during this era. Power output was initially rated at 95 horsepower and later increased to approximately 120 horsepower, reflecting gradual technical refinement within the same model line.

The drivetrain follows a traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. This configuration, combined with substantial torque from the large six-cylinder unit, allowed the Rolls-Royce 20-25 to achieve top speeds ranging from roughly 140 to 147 km/h. Such performance figures placed it comfortably among the faster luxury cars of its time, while remaining aligned with Rolls-Royce’s emphasis on smoothness rather than outright sportiness.

Construction relied heavily on steel body panels mounted on a robust chassis, suitable for a variety of body styles including limousine, cabriolet, and coupé. While specific braking and suspension details are not outlined in the provided material, the technical focus of Rolls-Royce during this period consistently centered on reliability, refinement, and longevity. With a total production figure of 2,916 units, the Rolls-Royce 20-25 remained a relatively exclusive automobile, engineered with long-term serviceability in mind.

• Manufacturer: Rolls-Royce
• Model Name: Rolls-Royce 20-25
• Year of Manufacturing: 1933 (model shown in the video; production period 1925–1935)

Design:

Design has always played a central role in the identity of Rolls-Royce, and the 20-25 is no exception. Externally, these cars were typically formal and restrained, designed to convey permanence rather than fashion. The long hood visually emphasized the large engine beneath, while the upright proportions reflected the expectations of luxury buyers in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Body styles varied, but all shared an underlying sense of dignity and balance.

No discussion of Rolls-Royce design is complete without the story of the Spirit of Ecstasy. Since 1911, this radiator mascot has adorned nearly every Rolls-Royce. Officially named the Spirit of Ecstasy, it is also known as the Silver Lady, Flying Lady, or simply “Emily.” The figure depicts a woman leaning forward, arms extended backward, evoking wings or flowing fabric. Its origins are deeply personal: the model was Eleanor Velasco Thornton, born in 1880, who worked at the Automobile Club and later became the secretary—and secret companion—of John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, later Lord Montagu of Beaulieu.

Before the Spirit of Ecstasy became standard, many luxury car owners fitted their own radiator mascots. Lord Montagu commissioned sculptor Charles Robert Sykes to create a unique figure for his Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. The result was “The Whisper,” showing a woman with a finger to her lips, a subtle reference to Montagu’s discreet relationship with Eleanor Thornton. In 1910, Rolls-Royce decided to standardize the radiator ornament and again turned to Sykes. He reworked The Whisper into what became the Spirit of Ecstasy. Eleanor Thornton died in 1915 when her ship was torpedoed, but her likeness lived on as the enduring symbol of Rolls-Royce—a symbol also present on the 1933 Rolls-Royce 20-25 shown in the video.

Historical Significance:

Rolls-Royce as a marque emerged from Frederick Henry Royce’s dissatisfaction with the reliability of his Decauville automobile. In 1903, he set out to build a better car. His engineering efforts impressed racing driver Charles Rolls, leading to the formation of Rolls-Royce. Early success followed quickly, with multiple models presented at the Paris Salon in 1904.

The company’s reputation was cemented by the 40/50 hp Silver Ghost, produced from 1906 to 1925 and celebrated for its quality and reliability rather than sporting ambition. This philosophy carried forward into later luxury models. By the 1920s, Rolls-Royce introduced new flagship vehicles such as the Phantom I, II, and III. These cars featured large-displacement six-cylinder engines and maintained the brand’s focus on refinement.

The Rolls-Royce 20-25 fits within this lineage as a product of the interwar period, when the company refined its luxury offerings for a demanding clientele. Production ended before the Second World War, which shifted Rolls-Royce’s focus from automobiles to aircraft engines. Remarkably, it is estimated that more than half of all Rolls-Royce cars built since 1904 remain operational, a testament to the durability of models like the 20-25.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

Earlier Rolls-Royce models left a lasting impression beyond civilian motoring. The Silver Ghost, introduced in 1907, was widely regarded as one of the most technically advanced cars of its time. During the First World War, modified Rolls-Royce vehicles were used as armored cars at the front. Notably, nine such vehicles were employed by Lawrence of Arabia in campaigns against the Ottoman Empire. He reportedly described them as “more precious than rubies.”

Rolls-Royce armored cars also appeared during the Irish Civil War between 1922 and 1923. These historical episodes reinforced the brand’s reputation for mechanical dependability under extreme conditions, a reputation that indirectly enhanced the prestige of later civilian models such as the Rolls-Royce 20-25.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at the Oldtimer-Meeting Baden-Baden in 2022. Set in the elegant spa gardens of Baden-Baden, this open-air event is one of Germany’s most atmospheric classic car gatherings. The 2022 edition marked the 46th year of the meeting and featured over 350 carefully selected vintage vehicles from across Europe. With its picturesque backdrop and festive ambiance, the event draws thousands of visitors who stroll among historic automobiles, enjoy live music, and take in themed displays. In 2022, American classics and convertibles were especially well represented, reflecting the event’s continued celebration of both international and domestic automotive heritage.

Conclusion:

The 1933 Rolls-Royce 20-25 shown in the video represents a mature phase of Rolls-Royce engineering and design. Technically defined by its large inline six-cylinder engine and conservative mechanical layout, it reflects a commitment to smooth performance and longevity. Its design identity is inseparable from the Spirit of Ecstasy, a symbol rooted in personal history and refined into a lasting emblem. Historically, the Rolls-Royce 20-25 stands within a lineage shaped by reliability, luxury, and adaptability—qualities that continue to define the Rolls-Royce name today.