Chassis Number: GTZ46
Registered: ALY 568

The Rolls-Royce 20/25hp was launched in 1929 as the successor to the 20hp model. It boasted numerous improvements, most significantly an enlarged (from 3,127 to 3,669cc) version of the Twenty’s six-cylinder, overhead-valve engine. The increased power was popular with the growing number of owner-drivers and allowed the coachbuilders greater freedom with their grand designs. The 20/25 was produced concurrently with the Phantom II and benefited from many of the larger model’s improvements, such as synchromesh gears and centralised chassis lubrication. It became the best-selling Rolls-Royce of the inter-war period and 3,827 were produced between 1929 and 1936

Chassis GTZ 46 was ordered on the 9th of June 1933 by Sir Bernard Docker. The records show that it was delivered on the 9th November and registered ALY 568. Docker was a successful industrialist and was Chairman of BSA, Daimler and sat on the board of the Midland Bank. He was a flamboyant character and not surprisingly ordered highly stylised bespoke coachwork for his new car. Park Ward were commissioned to build a unique two seat Roadster body with a low windscreen and occasional rear seats hidden in a ‘dickie’ in its sky-slope tail. The car was fitted with wheel discs and painted black with no pinstriping. The convertible top disappeared into a compartment behind the seats that did not disrupt the flowing lines of the coachwork. It is undoubtedly one of the best proportioned and successful designs of the era and an original coach makers photograph of the car is held by the RREC.

Docker kept the car for three years and in 1939 part exchanged it with Rolls-Royce for a new Wraith. The Company had the car for less than three weeks before they sold it. The new keeper was recorded as George Newman & Co of the Euston Road, London. Newman was a dealer in fine motor cars and the UK distributor for Ballot. He kept the car until 1946 when he sold it to Major G.W. De Winton who had addresses in Herefordshire and St James’s, London.

It is not known for sure how long Major De Winton kept the car but in 1970 a deal was brokered by the well known dealer, Jack Bond of Vintage Autos in Lancaster Gate. The car was sold to Lord Doune, heir to the Earl of Moray, who was building a car museum near his home in Perthshire.

Before taking its place in the famous Doune Motor Museum GTZ46 benefitted from a full mechanical restoration, including a full engine rebuild, by Ristes of Nottingham. The body was restored at the same time and an aluminium hard top was made for it to turn it into a two door coupe. There is a photo of it on page 65 of Peter Hugo’s book, “Private Motor Collections of Great Britain. Before restoration the mileage was recorded as 63,147 (more likely 163,147) and the current mileage is 67,988 so it has covered less than 5000 miles since the engine was rebuilt.

When the Doune Motor Museum closed in 2000 the GTZ46 was sold to Kenneth West of Station Brae in Aberdeenshire. He kept the car for four years before selling it to Terry Cook of Wallasey, Cheshire. Cook was a Rolls-Royce enthusiast and determined to restore the car back to its original specification. The hard top was removed and a convertible soft re-instated. Cook kept the car for nine years until 2013 when it was bought by the current owner.

GTZ46 appears in “Park Ward – The Innovative Coachbuilder”, a three volume definitive history by Malcolm Tucker. (P 248-249)

In 2011 when Rolls-Royce celebrated its 100 year anniversary various publications were produced by the company and GTZ46 was featured as the representative for the 20/25 series when they re-produced the original Park Ward coachmakers image.

GTZ46 has a high degree of originality and its matching number engine and stylish Park Ward coachwork restored to as new specification. This is surely one of the most attractive 20/25s. It presents and drives really well, has a well-documented history and in todays market represents superb value for money.