THE HISTORY OF WINDOVERS 1600-1956

ISBN 13:978-0-9554544-0-0

by Jane Hutchinson (nee Windover)
Author & Publisher
1, Mayfield House,  Bull Lane,  Gerrards Cross SL9 8RX  U K

This Book which is fully illustrated with 80 pictures from the past and present will be a limited edition containing 148 A4 size pages hardback finished on glossy paper in keeping with the exquisite productions for which Windovers became famous. Recommended retail price is £49.00 in U K. Now reduced to £29.00 !!

It is with pride I present the story of my Family over 350 years including a complete Family Tree from which one can follow the successful transition as the business was developed over three centuries by the male WINDOVERS.   

Windovers in 1600 were Saddlers and Harness Makers until the Industrial Revolution, when they moved north to Grantham and then Huntingdon to make carriages and coaches in Victorian times. Their extensive range of horse drawn vehicles is fully illustrated as they developed sales to all parts of the Empire and beyond including Royal households in Europe as well as England. 

In Huntingdon the business expanded swiftly to become the largest employers in Huntingdon when Jane’s  Great Grand-Father Charles S Windover became Mayor. The Factory where they made all their different types of carriages to the highest specifications is featured , and how they became one of the best recognised Manufacturers. Their Client list is impressive.

 From their success came their involvement with Rolls Royce and Bentley  and numerous other well known marques from whom they obtained the engine and chassis on which to build to individual requirements . All this is illustrated with exquisite photos and illustrations. The Company moved production from Huntingdon in 1924 to Hendon in London, nearer their showrooms, and from which Windovers also looked after the Carriages in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace.

 The Author was born in 1935 and describes life through the war and the changes the Company had to make as bespoke cars were replaced by mass production. They successfully switched to Coaches, Fire Engines , Taxis. Jane’s father R E T Windover was in charge of Windovers who died shortly after closing the business down in 1956.