Lot Ended
Description
1910 Little Briton 10hp
VCC dated Briton
by Star of Wolverhampton; ex Sharpe collection; lots of brass; acetylene
lighting equipped; a beautiful and usable Edwardian; good history file; 'on the
handle'...
The Briton marque is perhaps little known, but its
origins date back to the 1880s when Messrs Sharratt and Lisle joined forces to
produce bicycles. By 1896 they had established the Star Cycle Company Ltd
and just three years later had spawned the Star Motor Company Ltd as a
subsidiary.
Star Motors produced a highly impressive array of cars, much
prized today, launching the Starling brand to offer smaller products across
their extensive range. The Starling morphed into the Stuart and finally the
Briton marque was floated in 1910 to offer updated versions of the Starling and
Stuart car. Although the Lisle family were major shareholders and Star
Engineering built Briton bodies, the Briton Company was managed quite
seperately.
They were quite successful, although there are only
believed to be some 12 Briton cars surviving, of which six are in Australia and
New Zealand.
This splendid 1910 Little Briton comes with comfortable
two-seater coachwork and an effective hood. The paperwork includes a copy
brochure and a letter on file from the Registrar of the Sar, Starling, Stuart
and Briton Register detailing its ownership history.
DA 675 is a
Wolverhampton number and the car was in the hands of Mr Duckels of Watford in
the early 1950s, during which time an application was made for VCC
dating, a copy of the original application remaining on file. It changed
ownership to a Manchester company in 1963 before passing to Mr Tavener of Essex,
although it appears that he probably acquired it on behalf of the Sharpe
Brothers collection from where it was sold in 2005. This information is
supported by two buff logbooks, its current V5C and various notes
etc.
The current owner purchased it at auction in 2010, the car having
already changed from its green livery to red. He has spent lots of time and
effort ensuring that it runs well and is reliable, enjoying the car on local VCC
events. It comes with a full set of acetylene lighting equipment including
impressive headlamps, sidelamps and rear lamp. It's 1,465cc twin-cylinder engine
offers enough performance to make driving an enjoyment not a chore and it looks
a million dollars thanks to a plethora of brass fittings.
The VCC
offer a surprising number of events on which to use such a
car, from starter events through to European travels. Their simplicity
and quality engineering means that a well cared for and sympathetically
driven car from this era offers relibilty and a visceral experience simply not
available from anything else on the road.
For more information
- contact Matthew Parkin 07813 936698 or [email protected]
* All charges are subject to VAT