'Hinemoa' – the Property of Mr Jeremy Collins
1907 Star 16hp Two-seater Sports Race-about

• Rare British motor manufacturer of high quality
• Original registration
• Exported to New Zealand in 1910
• Restored by Nigel Parrott between 1992 and 2004
• Extensively campaigned by Jeremy Collins, VSCC stalwart and Star authority
• Substantial history files

One of Britain's top six motor manufacturers prior to WWI, the Wolverhampton-based Star Motor Company produced its first automobile in 1898. Star's first product was a built-under-license Benz, though it was manufactured entirely in Wolverhampton. Progressing from that first single-cylinder 3½hp Benz-based design, Star added twin-cylinder and four-cylinder cars to a diverse and expanding range of De Dion, Panhard, and Mercedes types. Although technically unadventurous 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.

Affectionately known by the Maori name 'Hinemoa', this 16hp four-cylinder model is one of four Stars discovered in a shed outside Auckland, New Zealand in 1992. It had been dismantled and adapted; the engine being used to drive a saw-bench from 1924 to 1966. (The vendor still has the wooden pulley block that was bolted to the flywheel.)

This car has been identified by Devon County Council as first registered on 19th June 1907 as 'T 1106', and was re-patriated with its original registration. Originally a four-seater Phaeton with chain drive, it became a taxi in 1908 and returned to the factory on 1st July 1910. Chain drive was changed to a live axle and the Star was exported to New Zealand, believed as a two-seater race-about.

Between 1992 and 2004 the Star was rebuilt by Nigel Parrott (N P Veteran Engineering Ltd), incorporating much original material: radiator, engine, gearbox, rear axle, seat pan, bonnet, etc. A front axle was found in Australia. Mr Collins reports the car is very pleasant to drive and offers an exhilarating experience, although the gearbox can be tricky, it becomes easier with practice.

Listed in the Star Register, 'T 1106' has been actively campaigned by Mr Collins, including Prescott, the Welsh Light Car Run, Kop Hill, Donington Park, VCC Summer Runs, and local shows. More recently, the Star was driven from Oxfordshire to Prescott this August where it was on display at the Bonhams VSCC stand. Sold due to the vendor's ill health and age, the car comes with five large box files of history detailing VCC dating; N Parrott invoices; photographs of the restoration; miscellaneous invoices; DLVA correspondence; starting procedure; and competition notes. Mr Collins would be happy to be contacted by the purchaser to pass on details of this unique car regarding it's driving, maintenance and his ownership. He also has a quantity of memorabilia and previous parts removed from the car. These will be available to the buyer for one month following the sale.

A very attractive motor car enhanced by a huge history file, coming from a good home and attractively priced.