Lot Ended
Description
From a deceased estate; current owner 35 years; a rare and top-quality
late-Edwardian car; expertly restored in the 1980s and carefully used since;
large and interesting history file
Founded by the
Lisle family of Wolverhampton in 1898, the Star Motor Company is largely
forgotten today but was a major force in the British car industry before the
First World War with more than 30 different models on offer with engines ranging
from 6hp to 40hp.
By 1914 Star was the sixth
largest car manufacturer in the UK, producing 1,000 cars per year plus numerous
commercial vehicles, virtually every component being made in-house using only
the highest-grade materials.
In 1922 a pair of
11.9hp Stars came first and second in the Scottish Six Days’ Light Car Trials,
earning glowing reviews in the press. ‘No praise too high is there for the two
Stars, which seemed to face every obstacle sturdily and surmount it surely every
day of the trial,’ said The Motor. ‘Both created a sound and lasting
impression in the minds of those who saw them, for they never once faltered.
Sturdily built, handsome and economical, they won their laurels in no uncertain
fashion’.
The winning car was shipped out to
Australia where it covered 11,000 miles across the Outback before being shipped
to New Zealand where it shredded hill climb records set by much more powerful
cars. Another 11.9hp won the gruelling Australian 1,000 Mile Alpine Test – ‘all
scenery and shell-shock’ – which further boosted sales to the Colonies.
However, such build quality came at a cost and
Stars were soon far more expensive than lesser machines from rivals like Austin
and Morris. To compound the problem, Edward Lisle positively shunned modern
manufacture, his adverts imploring: ‘Why buy the cotton of mass production when
the silk of English workmanship costs so little more?’.
His stubborn refusal to compromise on quality proved the downfall of
the firm, and Star went out of business in 1932.
This Star comes with a large
and interesting history file which will keep the next owner happily engrossed
for hours and we can only give the briefest details
here.
The original buff logbook
shows that PM 7369 was first registered in February 1925 and was originally a
Star 14/30 Columba Fixed Head Coupe with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine rated
at 13.2hp. The first owner was AE Du Buisson Esq of Swiftsden House in Hurst
Green, an imposing Grade II Listed mansion in East
Sussex.
Little is known of the car’s
subsequent history but in 1983 it was acquired by automotive historian and
journalist, John Warburton of Manchester. A senior figure in the Veteran Car
Club, he greatly admired these fine cars and became the founder member of the
Star Register, researching the history of the firm and its cars in
forensic detail. He co-wrote a book on the marque and penned many magazine
articles, with great authority and considerable wit.
By this time the
Star had lost its original Coupe bodywork and had been fitted with a Ford Model
T engine by a previous owner in the 1950s. Warburton was to spend the next five
years restoring the car, much of the process being recorded in many
black-and-white photos and a few notes on file, some of which are shown
here. No doubt there will be other published material about the car in magazine
archives, should the next owner feel inclined to do some
digging.
Ditching the Model T engine,
Warburton fitted a rebuilt 1,945cc four-cylinder engine from a Star 12/25 owned
by Lord Vivian of Glyn, Bangor – the 12/25 engine being basically the same as
the 14/30 but with a bore of 69mm rather than 73mm, hence the slight reduction
in cylinder capacity and 11.9hp rating. The gearbox was also rebuilt. [As an
aside, the original 14/30 engine, LB4551, still survives and is currently in a
beautifully restored 1926 Star Two-Seater well-known to the
Register].
Fitted with a new ash frame
and rebodied in the style of a Star Restor Tourer with expert help from
coachbuilder Charlie Madely, PM 7369 was then painted in its striking ‘blood
orange over black’ colour scheme. This was in honour of Lord Vivian who always
had his cars painted in these colours, a tradition set by his ancestors who had
done the same with their horse-drawn coaches.
Back on the road in
1988, it attended many VCC events and rallies, scooping various awards along the
way, a letter on file recounting: “I drove a friend’s well-sorted 1926 Bullnose
Morris Cowley back here from Blackpool, about 65 miles. The Star is better in
all respects – more power, smoother, much better driving/pedal position, much
roomier cockpit, better on hills. The Bullnose springing and cornering was
better than I expected but not up to Star
standards!”.
The current owner acquired the
Star from Warburton in June 1990, a letter showing that it cost £12,000. He too
used it on various events over the years, covering some 3,000 miles during his
35-year ownership, as shown in 20 old MOTs on file.
Featured in
various issues of The Automobile magazine and in the VSCC
Gazette, it also comes with a wealth of period road tests, marketing
material and technical literature. A luggage trunk is also included along with a
good hood and a set of side-screens, although the latter will need
refurbishment. There are also copious useful tips on driving and maintenance
provided by the owner.
On offer here from a deceased
estate, it comes with various invoices for routine upkeep including a re-lined
clutch plate in July 2017. Most recently, in April this year following a period
of inactivity it was treated to a major service by Jentree Classic Cars of East
Sussex which cost £2,184. The owner’s son-in-law then gave it a 20-mile test run
and reports that it performed admirably. It has certainly been starting easily
and running nicely as we have moved it around on
site.
As you can see in the photos,
this is a most attractive Vintage machine and the quality is plain to see. An
extremely rare survivor, it will draw lots of attention wherever it goes and is
on offer here at no reserve so the best bid takes it
home.
Consigned by James
Dennison – 07970 309907 – [email protected]