Rolls-Royce 20/25 Dreadnought Special 1931

History and background

The Rolls-Royce 20/25 Dreadnought Special is based on the Rolls-Royce 20/25hp, a model introduced in 1929 as the brand's successor in the mid-range segment. The 20/25 was intended to be a more accessible variant within the Rolls-Royce program, with a six-cylinder engine and a chassis that was frequently used for bodywork by outside coachbuilders. In the 1930s, this type was popular with customers seeking the sophistication of Rolls-Royce, but in a more compact and lighter design than the larger Phantom models.

Chassis GNS39 left the factory in 1931 as a two-door drophead coupe. Over the course of its life, the car received major modifications, with the original body giving way to an entirely different interpretation. The name Dreadnought Special refers to an approach where classic base and modified mechanical content come together in one car. In doing so, this Rolls-Royce 20/25 Dreadnought Special joins the tradition of special body and performance cars built in the prewar period and beyond for a very limited circle of enthusiasts.

The car is inspired by the iconic Blower Bentley, a reference that mainly clarifies the visual and technical direction of the project. Within the market for special pre-war cars, such a version occupies an anomalous position: not as a standard specimen, but as a modified special with its own distinct character. The combination of Rolls-Royce base, a sporty presentation and a historic chassis code makes the Rolls-Royce 20/25 Dreadnought Special a remarkable and rare phenomenon within the genre of special-bodied classic cars.

Characteristics and peculiarities

In 2014, the Rolls-Royce 20/25 Dreadnought Special underwent a major transformation. The original body was replaced with a hand-crafted aluminum racing body from Bespoke Bodyworks. At the same time, the chassis was shortened to a wheelbase of 108 inches. These interventions give the car a distinctly different proportion from a regular 20/25, emphasizing a lighter, more pronounced sporty appearance.

Under the hood is the original 3.7-liter six-cylinder engine, equipped with a supercharger. Engine output is 190 hp and torque 350 lb/ft. Combined with a modified transmission with overdrive, this results in a technical configuration very different from the standard version of the Rolls-Royce 20/25. The restoration was completed in 2018. Since then, the car has been driven approximately 1,000 miles. The Rolls-Royce 20/25 Dreadnought Special carries registration TL 1663 and engine number Y6J.

The car unites a pre-war Rolls-Royce chassis with a post-war special body and a modified powertrain. It is this combination that makes the Rolls-Royce 20/25 Dreadnought Special technically and historically different within the marque's model range.

Summary

The Rolls-Royce 20/25 Dreadnought Special is a custom-built special based on 1931 chassis GNS39, featuring an aluminum body manufactured by Bespoke Bodyworks, a supercharged 3.7-liter six-cylinder and a modified transmission with overdrive. The car combines a Rolls-Royce base with clear reference to the Blower Bentley and has driven approximately 1,000 miles since completion of its restoration in 2018. To get a good idea of the lot, we recommend coming to the viewing day.