A very pretty, early, short wheelbase 20/25 which could be described as a Doctor’s Coupe, but whatever term you use, it is a lovely configuration, very desirable, attractive to the eye, and very nicely proportioned. Having been with one family from 1965 until 2021 – 56 years, two thirds of its life so far, it has been well cared-for, and is nicely correct. Properly re-wired in correct, cotton-covered cable, fitted with overdrive, which is a very worthwhile upgrade in our opinion, and unusually has radial ply tyres - not often seen on these cars. Desirable touches include a very nice set of correct instruments, pillar-mounted spotlight, 'Gothic' rear lamps, and original trafficator arms, which work in conjunction with flashing indicators incorporated into the existing lamps (front & rear), all operating from the same switch. The car is smart, sound, running very well, and benefits from a combination of the vintage appeal of a 20hp and the performance of a 20/25. A delightful little car, full of charm and character, and offered, serviced, prepared and newly MoT tested.
Chassis No. GGP35 Reg. No. TL 1040
Snippets: The Hemery, Strode & Boardman families
John Vincent Hemery (1857/1944) was a scion of an established Jersey family which can be traced back to the 1600s, members included Clement Hemery I (1747/1809) he fought in the Battle of Jersey in 1781; Clement Hemery III (1811/77) diarist and later ADC to HM Queen Victoria; Capt John Hemery (1813/81) commander of the vessel Bengal Merchant which in 1840 took the 1st Scottish colonists to New Zealand. Having attained a B.A. at Trinity College J. V. Hemery followed in the family trade as a merchant and in the early 1900s moved to Arnoldfield in Grantham where his pastimes included hunting with the Belvoir alongside the Pagets, the Capels & the Molyneux families. In 1925 Prince Henry the Duke of Gloucester visited the Lincoln Agricultural Show and prior to “entraining for London” he took tea with John Hemery. John Hemery never married & his estate was left to his niece Anne, Viscountess Plumer. The 2nd owner of GGP35 was Mrs. Ailsie Maud Strode, she had been widowed in 1922 but her personal wealth had been inherited from her mother’s family the Morrisons. The Morrison family had amassed considerable wealth starting with a drapery business founded by James Morrison in the 1800s, (he married the boss’s daughter) rapid expansion took place and before long his empire included warehouses, finance, railways & international trade. In James Morrison’s lifetime he was known as being the richest commoner in England and his biography “A Genius For Money” by Caroline Dakers is astounding, a copy will be with the car. When James died (1857) his estate was distributed amongst his 5 sons & 2 daughters – Lucy Morrison was the maternal grandmother of Mrs Ailsie Strode. In May 1909 Charles (James’s eldest son) died leaving an estate of £10million - a third was inherited by his sister Ellen & when she died just 7 months later her estate of £4million was shared between her nieces & great-nieces including Ailsie Strode. It is not known how long Ailsa kept GGP35 but it may well be (as shown on the chassis cards) until her death in 1961 as the chassis give The Bruce Hotel, Carnoustie as the 3rd keeper. By 1965 GGP35 had found its way to America with Reggie Boardman of Palm Beach, as he was a keen amateur golfer it may be that he visited Carnoustie and saw the car. The extended Boardman family are described as “American Royalty” – their family connections by marriage & blood include: Drexel - Banking, Armour - Meat Packing, Spreckles – Sugar, Paul – Law, Astor – Politics and Pulitzer - Publishing. In April 1965 GGP35 was sold to a wealthy neighbour of his who in 1970 sold GGP35 for $1 to her son! The lady owner was none other than Mrs Jane Will Teagle Boggs Smith, she married 3 times & outlived all her husbands! Jane was born in 1918 at the time of the Spanish Influenza and in 2021 at the age of 103 was given the Covid 19 inoculation.
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