A very early 20/25, one of the first series, and consequently very vintage in character, but at the same time with the extra performance over and above the 20hp, which is enhanced further by the fitting of an overdrive in recent years, creating a nicely relaxed cruising experience on longer runs. Delightful two door, four light body with sunroof and appealing touches such as side window vents, twin-blade quarter bumpers at the rear, quite sporting in appearance, and yet capable of carrying four people in comfort, on the lovely brown leather seating. And it has a boot! Comes with old tax discs, a bundle of MoT certificates and a handbook. The car is sound, running very nicely, and has been enthusiastically maintained and driven by the last owner. Offered serviced, prepared, MoT tested and in ideal condition to use and enjoy.
Chassis No. GXO80 Reg No. UE 9773
Snippets: Willis-Dixon Residences
The 1st owner was Edward Jefferson, a member of the Midlands based printing firm of Kenrick-Jefferson who produced office stationary & equipment. Edward & his family lived at The Manor House, Knowle - the history of which has been researched back to 1200 when William de Arden granted the villa to his wife Amice de Traci. In 1284 the Arden family sold the estate to King Edward I & Queen Eleanor, upon her death in 1290 The Manor House was gifted to Westminster Abbey & in 1559 it returned into the hands of the Crown enabling Elizabeth I to gift the property to Robert, Earl of Leicester. The Arden family are one of three families whose lineage can be traced back to 1083 via the male line (the other families being the Berkeleys & the Swintons). From the chassis cards it would seem GXO80 was sold in 1935 to Norman Willis-Dixon, the Dixon family tree can be traced back to the 1700s & having made their mark with their various businesses which included manufacturing Steel, Cutlery, Silverware, Whistles, Gunpowder Flasks, Game Bags, Mills & various engineering firms. Their wealth & standing in their respective communities saw the family own the following: More Hall, Page Hall, Oakfield House, Ashton Hall, Bramley Hall, Birley Hall, Highfield, Stumperlowe Hall & Hillsborough Hall. It is not known how long Norman Willis Dixon kept GXO80 but the log books shows that in 1967 the 20/25 was with Barrie Foster in Bradmore. During the 1970s the car passed through the hands of two respected car dealers - George Rhodes of Biddulph who in 1956 made the shortlist as middle-distance runner for the Melbourne Olympic Games but had to withdraw due to injury; the other being David “Bunty” Scott Moncrieff a “purveyor of horseless-carriages to the nobility and gentry since 1927". Another interesting location that GXO80 was registered at was “La Mancha” in Halsall which dates from the early 18th century having been built by a Spanish nobleman – he created a formal garden, Japanese garden, sun house, pond and a terrace.
