1903 Gladiator 10hp Twin-cylinder Rear-entrance Tonneau

• Completed 40-plus London-Brighton Runs
• Formerly part of the Black Collection in Yorkshire
• Present ownership since 2018
• Extensive mechanical refurbishment in 2020


Offered here is a desirable early-starter Gladiator that has completed 40-plus runs to Brighton. The March 1947 edition of the Veteran Car Club Gazette (copy on file) notes that this Gladiator was owned by a Mr Ralph Neville, who had acquired the car from its original owner in Norwich. Mr Neville stripped the car down and found no badly worn parts before restoring it. The windscreen was fitted in 1904 and the car originally laid up in 1908. Well known by 1947, the Gladiator was driven by Mr Neville from Chilwell to the Coventry-Birmingham Cavalcade and back – a distance of 130 miles – without any trouble, and was reported as having performed excellently on the London-Brighton Run

From the 1980s onwards the car formed part of the well-known Black Collection in Yorkshire until it was acquired by the current vendor in 2018. Recent works (in 2020) included a full new set of wheels and tyres; An extensive engine rebuild including works to the crankshaft, pistons, valves, valve seats and bearings; and the fitting of an electric starter. The car boasts a fine pair of French-manufactured Ducellier acetylene headlamps and an exuberant exhaust whistle, which is operated from the steering column. The twin-cylinder Aster engine is mated to a three-forward-speeds gearbox and is noted to pull strongly and tick over nicely. Lubrication of the engine and gearbox is via a dash-mounted drip-feed oiler and an Albert Lefebvre Fils screw-type dash-mounted greaser. Also supplied is the full height windscreen noted in the 1947 article, and a folding hood which the current vendor removed in 2018.

The current vendor notes that the Gladiator has a conventional pedal layout and excellent brakes. It can be started either on the electric starter or swung by hand, and provides a good turn of speed. The car has participated in four Brighton Runs in the current ownership and has completed each without drama or issue. Maintained regardless of expense by an experienced vendor, and only for sale due to the purchase of a large four-cylinder car, this is a fine automobile which will carry five passengers to Brighton in comfort without the need to walk up hills. Offered with a VCC Dating Certificate (No.6) and a V5C document.

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