Ex-Professor A L Bird; Lord Charnwood; Francis Hutton-Stott. Sold by the estate of the late Graham Pilmore-Bedford
1912 Lanchester Model 25 Tourer

• The only 25hp model known to survive
• Present family ownership since 1980
• Restored in the 1980s and 1990s
• Extensively campaigned on VCC events
• Last used on the 'Best of West Kent' rally in 2022

One of the greatest names in the history of the automobile, Frederick Lanchester began his career as an engineer at the Forward Gas Engine Co of Saltley, near Birmingham, where he rose to become its works manager and chief designer. He patented a pendulum inertia governor while there, and would go on to file a further 425 patents in the course of a remarkably inventive life. With his younger brother George taking his place as works manager, Frederick began experimenting with small gasoline engines. He began work on what would be the UK's first four-wheeled petrol car of entirely native design in 1895, producing a tiny handful of prototypes, and in December 1899 the Lanchester Engine Company Ltd was formed to manufacture motor cars. During 1900 six cars were built, all retained for the company's own use, with deliveries to paying customers commencing in 1901.

The first production Lanchester was powered by a horizontally opposed twin-cylinder engine of 4.0 litres, which drove via three-speed epicyclic gearbox and worm-drive rear axle. Larger twins were introduced, but by 1904 the general expectation was that engines of this size should have four cylinders, and it was while Frederick was designing such a car that his company went bust. The firm was reorganised as the Lanchester Motor Company Ltd and duly introduced its first four-cylinder model – a 2½-litre rated at 20hp – towards the end of 1904. Despite the engine now being vertical and at the front, Lanchester's established 'bonnet-less' look was maintained by mounting the power unit between the driver and front passenger. All production Lanchesters would follow this layout up to 1914. Unusually, one lever operated the clutch, gears, and main brake. In 1906 a six-cylinder 3.7-litre model based on the existing four was introduced, which was followed by larger models of both engine types.
By this time George Lanchester had become increasingly disillusioned with the company that bore his name, and George began to take on more of the design and engineering responsibilities. With bonneted cars now established as the norm, the bluff-fronted Lanchesters were looking increasingly old-fashioned in appearance, and in 1913, at the directors' instructions, the first conventional design was introduced. Built during the 1911 and 1912 seasons only, the Model 25, as seen here, was powered by a 4.2-litre four-cylinder sleeve-valve engine.

The only 25hp model known to survive, 'BJ 1950' formerly belonged to Professor A L Bird and then to Lord Charnwood, passing in 1952 to Francis Hutton-Stott (the former VCC President and Lanchester authority, who may also have owned it pre-war) and then to the late Graham Pilmore Bedford in 1980. Graham Pilmore-Bedford was an enthusiastic and active VCC member, and in the 1970s was the Lanchester Owners' Club Registrar and very friendly with Francis Hutton-Stott. He was an accomplished engineer did all his own work; this car was his favourite Lanchester in the collection.
The old-style buff logbook (issued 1952) is on file together with a letter from Hutton-Stott confirming its sale for £10,000 to Graham Pilmore-Bedford. It should be noted that the aforementioned logbook records the date of first registration as 7th January 1921, this being shortly after the introduction of the Roads Act of 1920, which required local councils to register all vehicles at the time of licensing and to allocate a separate number to each. (Many vehicles, although in existence for several years in some cases, were only registered for the first time after the Act's passing, as in this case).

Also on file are letters from Professor Bird to Hutton-Stott dating from the mid/late-1930s; other pieces of early correspondence; a Brighton Speed Trials entry form dated 23.9.1939 (Hutton-Stott); and a VCC GB Hull-Scarborough Rally Run and Concours entry form 7.9.52 (Hutton-Stott). The history file also contains photocopied press cuttings; copies of period photographs and postcards featuring the car; a quantity of expired MoTs; numerous bills; photocopied technical literature; SORNs; and V5/V5C registration documents.

'BJ 1950' was kept at Graham's father's home in Ivy Hatch, Kent for some years immediately following its acquisition, while Graham rebuilt the engine and overhauled the mechanicals in the 1980s and 1990s. The carburettor is now of the spray type, replacing the previous wick instrument (original still with car), while the canvas hood and tonneau are new. The car has been painted in various colours over the years: black, brown and then cream when it joined his collection. Graham changed the livery in the early 2000s to its present green, a recognised Lanchester factory colour.

'BJ 1950' has been used on various VCC rallies and, of course, Graham was co-organizer of the 'Best of West Kent' rally; his last drive in the car was on that event in 2021. Last year his son drove the car, which is offered for sale today by the Pilmore-Bedford family. The vendors advise us that they would not hesitate to take this car on a long distance tour/event following a general check-over and service. A lovely, rare and well-engineered car from Lanchester, a make known for its innovative design and superlative engineering.