1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Sedanca Coupé by J. Gurney Nutting
- Engine
- 4.3L inline-six, F-head, single downdraft carburetor, ~90 bhp
Chassis GRM 7 is a 1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 carrying a Sedanca Coupé body by J. Gurney Nutting, designed by John Blatchley and identified as their design study number 266. Originally delivered through H.R. Owen to a Buckinghamshire buyer, the car subsequently emigrated to the United States in the early 1950s and entered the ownership of Nelson Rockefeller. Later owners in Arizona and Ohio cared for the car, which underwent a restoration that earned concours recognition. The Sedanca panel has been sealed in the closed position and the older refurbishment now shows age.
Ownership
- 2020-08-14Auction saleEstimate US$100,000 – US$130,000
- 1936 →Private saleH.D. Chaplinfull documentation
Resident of Fulmer, Buckinghamshire; received delivery after coachwork was completed by Gurney Nutting following chassis handover in August 1936.
- 1936-05-01 → 1936Factory deliveryH.R. Owenfull documentation
Original ordering agent; placed the commission on the first of May 1936 and subsequently sold the car to the first private owner.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownVincents of Readingpartial documentation
Pre-war dealership through whose hands the car passed at some point; commemorative plaques from this agency remain fitted to the vehicle.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownNelson Rockefellerpartial documentation
Former US Vice President and New York Governor; acquired the car sometime in the early 1950s after it emigrated to the United States, reportedly drawn to its rarity and coachwork quality.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownC. Fred Brownpartial documentation
Owner based in Arizona and Ohio; succeeded Rockefeller in the recorded chain of custody.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJames and Donna Metheneypartial documentation
Ohio-based owners; during or around their tenure the car underwent a refurbishment and the Sedanca roof panel was permanently closed.
Competition
- —CCCA Ohio Region Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens Car ShowAward winner
Car received recognition at this concours-style event, among others, following its restoration; specific year not stated.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
A comprehensive refurbishment was carried out at an undetermined date, resulting in a finish that earned concours-level awards. During this work or around the same time, the Sedanca roof panel was permanently sealed in the closed position.
The restoration has since aged; the paintwork, likely a lacquer finish, has begun to craze in areas of heavy use and near ground-level openings.
- —Modification
The Sedanca sliding roof panel was fixed permanently in the closed position, possibly during the refurbishment period or independently prior to it.
The prose suggests this may have been done for practical reasons during leaner economic times; the car remains in this configuration.
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