1914 Rover 12hp Tourer

• Landmark early Rover
• Present ownership for the last 20 years
• Actively campaigned in VCC events

What would eventually become the Rover company began by manufacturing one of the landmark designs in the history of human transportation: the 'Safety Bicycle'. Brainchild of John Kemp Starley, the Rover cycle featured two identical-size wheels and chain drive to the rear, thus rendering the precarious front-drive 'Ordinary' - better known as the 'Penny Farthing' - obsolete at a stroke. The firm's first venture into powered transportation came in 1888 with an electric tricycle, but it would be another 16 years, by which time its founder J K Starley had died, before the Rover Cycle Company began experimenting with the internal combustion engine. Designer Edmund Lewis was recruited from Daimler and drew up Rover's first series-production automobile, an 8hp single-cylinder with aluminium backbone frame, an adventurous design that despite its shortcomings remained in production until 1912.
Lewis followed up with a more conventional 6hp model, which earned itself the distinction of being Rover's first entered in any competition, in this case the Bexhill Speed Trials of 1902. Before his departure for Siddeley-Deasy, Lewis bequeathed another significant design, the 16/20hp, winner of the 1907 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race for Rover. After an undistinguished flirtation with the Knight sleeve-valve engine, Rover hired Wolseley engineer Owen Clegg, who reorganised production and put the company back on track with a conventional poppet-valve engined car, the 12hp. Powered by a 2.3-litre four featuring pumped lubrication (for the first time on a Rover) the 'Clegg Twelve' was the sole model in the range by 1912 and would remain in production into the 1920s.
This Rover 12 has been regularly used in VCC events during its 20-year ownership by a prominent member of the Midland Section whose advancing years have brought the car to the market. A highly attractive example, displaying a wonderful patina, the Rover has been maintained throughout this time by Cooke's of Leicester.
The previous owner was a Mr L Weaver of Hailsham, East Sussex, during whose ownership sympathetic restoration work was carried out by NP Veteran Engineering (invoices on file). In addition, numerous minor works were carried out to keep the vehicle in top condition: rewound mag, new spring gaiters, wheel refurbishment, various items nickel plated, etc. The car is offered with a good history file containing, among other paperwork, a VCC dating certificate, a V5C document and an original instruction book. A wonderful opportunity to purchase a delightfully original and useable Edwardian motor car, subject to very light recommissioning.