LOT 728
c.1923 Warrick Motor Carrier Registration no. LW 8899 (see text) Frame no. 1299 Engine no. 4 57
Sold for £13,800 inc. premium
Lot 728
c.1923 Warrick Motor CarrierRegistration no. LW 8899 (see text) Frame no. 1299 Engine no. 4 57
c.1923 Warrick Motor Carrier
Registration no. LW 8899 (see text)
Frame no. 1299
Engine no. 4 57
Registration no. LW 8899 (see text)
Frame no. 1299
Engine no. 4 57
• Rare commercial motorised tricycle
• On museum display for many years
• Offered for re-commissioning/restoration
The Warrick Motor Carrier was built by the John Warrick Cycle Company of Reading, Berkshire. Apprenticed to a gunsmith, John Warrick became a successful gun-maker himself before acquiring an agency for T W Pitt's Monarch Carrier, a tradesman's box tricycle. By 1910 Warrick's business was devoted exclusively to the manufacture of trade bicycles and tricycles. When the motorised Auto-Carrier came on the market in 1907, Warrick had no option but to respond to the obvious threat. His first move was to purchase an Auto-Carrier and have it disassembled...
The three-wheeled Warrick Motor Carrier delivery van closely followed the design adopted by Auto-Carriers Ltd (later AC Cars) but with detail differences to avoid patent infringement. Like the AC, the Warrick employed a rear-mounted engine (located beneath the driver's seat), a two-speed epicyclic gearbox, chain final drive, and tiller steering. Numerous improvements were made to the design over the next two decades, including better location for the rear wheel; a switch from wood to pressed steel for the chassis frame; and the options of front wheel brakes and a reverse gear. Production ceased in the mid-1920s, though a few were assembled from stocks of existing parts, the last in 1931.
This particular Motor Carrier is painted in the green and black livery of the London-based department store Debenhams, who used these Warrick vans in the 1920s. In September 1998, 'LW 8899' was sold at Brooks' auction at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu (Lot 672). The catalogue description stated that "We are informed that this Warrick has an air-cooled 723cc single-cylinder engine and the desirable convenience of a reverse gear," continuing: "the lengthy period spent in museum storage means that the car will require careful re-commissioning prior to serious use". Unfortunately, the museum in question was not identified, but more recently it has been suggested that it was in the Isle of Man. It is understood that the purchaser at the Brooks sale was Debenhams, whose recent closure has resulted in the Motor Carrier being offered for sale today. We are further advised that 'LW 8899' was displayed in the Debenhams store in Guildford for many years. As in 1998, the vehicle will require careful re-commissioning, or possibly more extensive restoration, before further use. It is known that the two cooling fans are missing; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this vehicle's originality, completeness and correctness prior to bidding. There are no documents with this Lot. The vehicle registration number has since lapsed from the HPI/DVLA database. Accordingly prospective bidders must satisfy themselves as to the VRN validity prior to bidding.
• On museum display for many years
• Offered for re-commissioning/restoration
The Warrick Motor Carrier was built by the John Warrick Cycle Company of Reading, Berkshire. Apprenticed to a gunsmith, John Warrick became a successful gun-maker himself before acquiring an agency for T W Pitt's Monarch Carrier, a tradesman's box tricycle. By 1910 Warrick's business was devoted exclusively to the manufacture of trade bicycles and tricycles. When the motorised Auto-Carrier came on the market in 1907, Warrick had no option but to respond to the obvious threat. His first move was to purchase an Auto-Carrier and have it disassembled...
The three-wheeled Warrick Motor Carrier delivery van closely followed the design adopted by Auto-Carriers Ltd (later AC Cars) but with detail differences to avoid patent infringement. Like the AC, the Warrick employed a rear-mounted engine (located beneath the driver's seat), a two-speed epicyclic gearbox, chain final drive, and tiller steering. Numerous improvements were made to the design over the next two decades, including better location for the rear wheel; a switch from wood to pressed steel for the chassis frame; and the options of front wheel brakes and a reverse gear. Production ceased in the mid-1920s, though a few were assembled from stocks of existing parts, the last in 1931.
This particular Motor Carrier is painted in the green and black livery of the London-based department store Debenhams, who used these Warrick vans in the 1920s. In September 1998, 'LW 8899' was sold at Brooks' auction at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu (Lot 672). The catalogue description stated that "We are informed that this Warrick has an air-cooled 723cc single-cylinder engine and the desirable convenience of a reverse gear," continuing: "the lengthy period spent in museum storage means that the car will require careful re-commissioning prior to serious use". Unfortunately, the museum in question was not identified, but more recently it has been suggested that it was in the Isle of Man. It is understood that the purchaser at the Brooks sale was Debenhams, whose recent closure has resulted in the Motor Carrier being offered for sale today. We are further advised that 'LW 8899' was displayed in the Debenhams store in Guildford for many years. As in 1998, the vehicle will require careful re-commissioning, or possibly more extensive restoration, before further use. It is known that the two cooling fans are missing; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this vehicle's originality, completeness and correctness prior to bidding. There are no documents with this Lot. The vehicle registration number has since lapsed from the HPI/DVLA database. Accordingly prospective bidders must satisfy themselves as to the VRN validity prior to bidding.
Saleroom notices
We have been unable to located the chassis number. We located two stamps on the engine - 457 and B301. Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 728: click here
Additional information
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