1905 Albion 16hp A3 Detachable-top Limousine

• The only survivor of its type
• Original factory body
• Restored (bills available)
• Electric starter and Zenith carburettor fitted
• Present ownership since 2020

Once the largest commercial vehicle company in the British Empire, Albion was established in December 1899 in Finnieston Street, Glasgow by Arrol-Johnston émigrés Dr Thomas Blackwood Murray and Norman Fulton. The firm manufactured cars to begin with, concentrating on its commercial vehicle business from the end of 1913 onwards. Albion's motto 'Sure As The Sunrise', which reflected its reputation for dependability, inspired the distinctive design that featured on the radiator and badges of its many models. After its acquisition by Leyland in 1957, Albion's independence gradually diminished and by the mid-1990s the firm was making axles only. Today, the Biggar Albion Foundation, based in Lanarkshire, Scotland looks after The Albion Club and The Albion Archive.

This 16hp twin-cylinder car is the only Albion A3 detachable-top limousine to survive today. The car retains its original factory body, built by Penman Coach Works, which is the oldest surviving body listed in their records to date.

Owned by Jean Tua from 1962, the Albion was purchased by Alistair Hacking from the Tua Museum in Geneva in 2008. All restoration bills are on file, mostly from the well known Veteran car restoration specialists, N P Engineering (Nigel Parrott). The coachwork is original, with only the roof having to be remade using surviving elements as patterns. All four wooden wings are original too. The car was painted red using coach enamel, and the interior reupholstered to the original pattern. Our vendor advises that the engine and gearbox have been fully sorted and a modern magneto fitted as the low-tension ignition was unreliable. An electric starter has been fitted also, and the engine now breathes via a modern Zenith up-draft carburettor (original carburettor supplied).

The present owner purchased the Albion in 2020. Being one of the larger (16hp) twin-cylinder cars, it has proven very reliable at all times, successfully completing various Veteran car runs such as the Creepy Crawley and Yorkshire Run, carrying four passengers in style and comfort. This rare Albion limousine is offered with an extensive history file and a copy Albion manual.