1910 Star 15hp Tourer
Registration no. LL 776
Chassis no. 2471
Engine no. 521P

One of Britain's top six motor manufacturers prior to WWI, the Wolverhampton-based Star Motor Company produced its first automobile in 1898. A close neighbour of Sunbeam, the company had been founded by Edward Lisle Sr, proprietor of the Star Cycle Company that would later build its own Starling cars under the guidance of his son, Edward Jr. Progressing from that first single-cylinder Benz-based design, the firm added twin- and four-cylinder cars to a diverse and expanding range and built its first six in 1907. 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.

One of Star's most successful models of the late Edwardian period was the four-cylinder Fifteen, which was made with in variety of engine capacities of around 3-3½ litres between 1909 and 1916. In its later configuration the Fifteen's engine was rated at 15.9hp and in this form the model resumed production after WWI. Guy Motors acquired Star in 1927 and the firm changed hands again in 1932, but by then the ongoing economic downturn was hitting luxury car manufacturers hard and by 1935 Star was gone.

This 15hp Star was purchased in un-restored condition at the Smith Collection auction in 1968 but was not restored until the mid-1980s. Scarcely used after its acquisition by the immediately preceding owner in 2007, the car had been fitted with new piston rings and gearbox pinions shortly before its purchase by the current vendor at Bonhams' Beaulieu sale in September 2012 (Lot 610). Since acquisition the Star has been fitted with period P&H acetylene and oil lamps, and is described by the current vendor as in generally good running order. Finished in maroon/black with black interior, this handsome Edwardian tourer from an historic yet seldom encountered marque is offered with old-style logbook, sundry bills, VCC dating certificate and V5C registration document. A Dyna Start and the aforementioned lighting are the only notified deviations from factory specification.