Michael Willison

1923 Originally a Barker Cabriolet now in the style of an Open Drive Brougham 45G2

20hp with an Interesting History, 45G2

45G2 is nearing completion of a long restoration project by Michael Willison.  It was delivered in 1923 with Barker cabriolet coachwork to Max Pemberton (see photograph ex Fasal) who developed extensive RR connections and became a friend of Henry Royce.  Like Henry, Max was later Knighted.  Max Pemberton was a popular and prolific novelist who is best known by members of the RREC as the author of “The Life of Sir Henry Royce”, published in 1934 soon after Sir Henry’s death.  Sir Max published a 60,000 mile report on 45G2 in 1927 and his writings were used in 20hp advertisements. 

The car then had several owners until it was bought by John Fasal around 1969.  There are references to 45G2 in Fasal’s book of the 20hp including the early photograph of the car with Max Pemberton, and images of the chassis build cards.  John carried out restoration work on the chassis, and then sold the incomplete chassis to Michael around 1986.  Ever since Michael has been gradually amassing all the bits and pieces needed for its restoration.  A new body was built by David Hemingway in the style of an open-drive brougham although the mudguards, running boards and all the fittings are genuine.