1906 Stuart 7hp Two-Seater

Registration no. NMN 952N (Isle of Man) Chassis no. 503 Engine no. 819

Footnotes

Stuart motor cars were manufactured from 1906 to 1908 by the Star Cycle Company. One of Britain's top six motor manufacturers prior to WWI, Wolverhampton-based Star had produced its first automobile in 1898. A close neighbour of Sunbeam, what would become the Star group of companies had been founded by Edward Lisle Sr, and would later also build Starling-badged cars under the guidance of his son, Edward Jr. Although technically un-adventurous in its early years, Star built up a deserved reputation for building luxuriously appointed and well constructed cars, aided by the fact that it made most of its parts, chassis frames excepted, in house.

This charming little two-seater Stuart has been in the current ownership since 1997 and comes with a delightful illustrated history. It is powered by a 1,351cc twin-cylinder engine and has a three-speed gearbox and shaft final drive. Believed exhibited at the Stanley Show in 1906, the car was first registered as 'AH 928' and carries the plaque of supplying dealer Arthur Lane of The Cycle Warehouse, Swaffham. The Stuart was sold new to a Mr A Taylor, a Kings Lynn seed merchant. Circa 1949 the Stuart passed to Kings Lynn garage proprietor, Paddy Mears, who rebuilt the car and drove it on the 1953 celebrations of HM the Queen's coronation. At that time, the Stuart was the oldest car in Kings Lynn.

The Stuart then passed via one D Johnson to a J W T Lilley; he submitted the car to the VCC's Dating Committee, who dated it as of 1906 manufacture on 20th March 1963. Mr Lilley used the car on many VCC events before ownership passed to his son in Canada, from whence the Stuart returned in December 1989 courtesy of well known motor dealer, Stephen Langton. The Stuart had two further owners before passing to the current (now deceased) custodian in May 1997. Since then the car has benefited from considerable refurbishment, including rebuilding the cone clutch and water pump; substituting a Zenith carburettor for the existing Brown & Barlow instrument; and fitting a Ford Model T distributor and trembler coils. In addition, the transmission was overhauled with a new crown wheel and pinion and new half-shafts, and the wheels re-varnished.

Bonhams can confirm that, although the clutch requires some adjustment, the Stuart drove well on a recent 5-mile run, with good brakes and a decent turn of speed, cruising at 28mph without effort. Notable features include Lucas 'King of the Road' side lamps, small Lucas headlights, and a Ducellier acetylene generator.