J. Gurney Nutting of Chelsea boasted almost unequaled skill in creating finely designed and detailed coachwork on Rolls-Royce chassis. They were especially talented with the smaller-displacement cars such as the 25/30, for which it was not always easy to build well-proportioned, sleek coachwork. Gurney Nutting succeeded, as can be seen in this Sedanca de Ville, chassis no. GRP18, a scaled-down version of a similar design used on the Phantom III, with close-coupled lines accentuated by a wide beltline molding and lowered roof.

Upon its completion, GRP18 was delivered as stock to H.R. Owen, the respected longstanding London Rolls-Royce dealer, in the spring of 1938; delivery was somewhat late, with the chassis being considered a 1937 by Rolls-Royce. According to information from Rolls-Royce included in the file, the car did not find its first private owner until July 1945, when it was sold to Mr. F. Roberts of Manchester. Later British owners were Richard Charles Bunn of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, who acquired the car in 1962, and Walter Brian Carter of Huntingdon, who purchased it four years later.

Charles Nagler purchased the Rolls-Royce in good, largely original order from Mr. Carter in 1968, and it has now remained in the United States, and in the same family, for over half a century. In early years it was occasionally used by the Naglers for the weddings of friends. Following a complete restoration down to the fitment of a correct electric rear-window blind, GRP18 then took to the show circuit, winning the Hooper Trophy from the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club and the Formal Town Car award at the CCCA Museum’s Formal Car Experience in 1990.

Under the ownership of Todd and Peggy Nagler, the car continued to collect awards with both organizations in regional competition as recently as 2004 and was also driven extensively on tours and private journeys all over the Midwest. As with all the Naglers’ cars, exceptional records were kept of the car’s operation and regular maintenance, and these accompany various historical documents, a handbook, and technical information.

Relatively few 25/30s remain in the United States; fewer still have been so well restored and maintained by the same family for so long. According to Peggy, this Rolls-Royce was always one of their favorite tour cars because it was so enjoyable to drive, and the front roof section could be opened to enjoy sunny days or closed just as easily if weather turned. The Naglers considered this car something special, and now a new caretaker can experience what made this Sedanca a cherished treasure from the collection.