• Rare survivor of a short-lived British make
• The 102nd car sold by Brown Brothers
• Professionally restored by TT Workshops
• Regular London-to-Brighton entrant

Founded in 1888, the well-known London-based motor factors Brown Brothers Ltd supplied a wide variety of components and accessories for cars, motorcycles and bicycles. In 1899 the company diversified it activities, offering motor tricycles and the American Whitney light steam car, which was marketed as the Brown-Whitney. Between 1901 and 1911, Brown offered a variety of cars under its own name, some of which were made for them by Star of Wolverhampton (Brown had no manufacturing facilities of its own). In 1902 the company were advertising that 'almost any type of engine can be fitted', and both shaft drive and chain drive models were available. The Star-built light cars had single-cylinder 6hp or twin-cylinder 8hp Aster engines and shaft drive. Brown's later cars featured Mercedes-like honeycomb radiators from 1904 onwards and certainly Forman engines were used. At the Olympia Motor Show in 1906 Brown exhibited three fours of 18/20, 20/22 and 24hp, plus a 40hp six. A cheaper make – the Albruna – was spun off in 1908. Brown ceased motorcar manufacturing in 1913 when the company decided to concentrate on it core business, though production of motorcycles continued under the Vindec name until 1929.

The 8hp twin-cylinder model we offer is the 102nd car sold by Brown Brothers from their Great Eastern Street, London premises in 1903. It was sold to a customer in Weybridge, and in 1904 was exported to New Zealand. The car was in a dilapidated state when acquired by its last owner in NZ, Mr Ken Silke of Nelson. Ken commenced its restoration in his barn, but after many years realised that he would never complete the task and sold the unfinished car to Brown Brothers Ltd in 1980. The car was returned to the UK and sent to TT workshops in Westbury, Wiltshire for a comprehensive restoration, returning the car to its original specification.

Following a number of careful inspections by the Veteran Car Club and the Science Museum, the VCC issued a dating certificate in May 1988 (No. 1762). It was then displayed at Brown Brothers' Swindon headquarters and used to promote the company. The Brown has been a regular London-to-Brighton entrant over many years, including the RAC's Commemoration Run in November 1997. Offered with a V5C and VCC Dating Certificate.

Please note that this lot is subject to VAT on the Hammer Price.