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]