Ralph Thompson

1928 Flewitt Limousine GKM56

Chassis number GKM56 was ordered on 11th August 1928 through George Heath Motors Ltd of John Speight Street, Birmingham. The car went on test on 11th July and after the usual testing processes were carried out came off test on 28th August. On 10th September it was dispatched to Coachbuilders, Messrs Flewitt Ltd who constructed a D back 6 light enclosed limousine body. The car was then delivered to its first owner Mrs Sarah Elizabeth Williamson of Newlyn, 49 Selly Park Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham on 31st December 1928.

Mrs Williamson kept the car until 1935 when according to the chassis cards it returned to George Heath Motors before it was sold on in 1936 to its second owner Mrs A Grant, 56a Hamilton Terrace, London NW8. The next recorded change of ownership was in 1938 when Mr John Rowling of 10 Furness Road, Eastbourne was the new owner, he operated a motor car hire business which included a tour of the sights of the illuminations. As this was the year prior to the start of WW2 one wonders how long he managed to continue this service.

As Ralph continues to research the car's history, thanks to the Eastbourne Historical Society he has discovered that John Rowling passed away in 1946, so just how long he kept the car is as yet unknown. The car next appears in the early 1980's in the USA with the recorded owner being Clarence Nikimaa who kept it until 1986 when it was purchased by Mark Johnson who donated it to the RROC museum in 2001. The car spent 2 years in store in one of their old building and in the March/April 2003 edition of The Flying Lady it appeared on the front cover, a picture of the car presumably when in store. After spending the 2 years stored the car was sold to Wayne Hillelson who kept the car until 2009. The next record of the car is in 2009 when she was imported back to the UK by Orchid Motors of Amesbury, Wiltshire when-upon the car was purchased by John Sampson of South Molton, Devon. John managed to retain the original registration with the help of the RREC. He commissioned the well known specialist Ben Smith to fully restore the car but sadly after only a short period ran into financial difficulties resulting in Ben having to go through the appropriate route to become the legal owner of the car. Once this was in place he instructed Brightwells Auctions of Leominster to sell the car in their next auction in 2013. At this stage the car was fully dismantled filling two large flatbed trailers, it sold for £10200.

At the auction she was purchased by Dr Tom James of Cheltenham who spent the next 9 years rebuilding it with the help of Ben Smith. The car had suffered a great deal over the years being in a well worn condition, the engine having cracking present, let alone worn bores and bearings. Over the years the body had been re-styled at the rear and the radiator having the shutters changed to more modern vertical ones. Ben re-made the rear sections including wings and undertook a full re-wire, but after many years of great work it was back on the road in time for Tom's son's wedding. Sadly Tom had to sell her on due to age and medical reasons in 2022 to The Real Car Co in Wales from whom Ralph purchased her in May 2023.

Flewitt's built a total of only 9 limousines on the 20hp chassis during the production run, in 1928 only 2 were built GKM56 and GKM82, possibly at the same time. It would be nice to find the whereabouts of GKM82 and re-unite the cars but that search is proving fruitless so far unless someone knows the whereabouts of GKM82.

At present, December 2023, she is awaiting further refurbishments including the interior which is still original, along with many other areas unfortunately. However it will be an enjoyable experience to see her back at her best again one day.

Photos "as found" are thanks to John Sampson, of her dismantled, thanks to Ben Smith others thanks to The Real Car Co.

Our thanks also to The Real Car Co for allowing us to include their YouTube video