1927 Star 14/40hp Coupé with Dickey Seat Chassis no. B547 Engine no. LG118

1927 Star 14/40hp Coupé with Dickey Seat Coachwork by in the style of Hoyal Registration no. PF 8599 Chassis no. B547 Engine no. LG118 •Quality British make •Believed the only 14/40hp model surviving (see text) •Completely restored between 2001 and 2009 •Present ownership since 2017 •Engine professionally rebuilt in 2021/2022 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. Four-wheel brakes - on the bigger sixes - and overhead valves - on the four-cylinder 12/40 - made their appearance in the early 1920s. Star's midrange offering, the excellent 14/40, was made from 1926 and powered by a 2,120cc overhead-valve four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed gearbox. Very well built, it was noticeably smooth and flexible thanks to a massive crankshaft running in five main bearings. First registered in March 1927, this Star 14/40 was first owned by a Percy Wootton of Shere, Surrey as recorded in the original buff logbook. It is believed that the car's rear end was converted into a truck in the 1940s, but not much else is known about its subsequent history until 2001 when it was acquired by a previous owner. The latter then treated it to a total 'last-nut-and-bolt' rebuild, which was to take some eight years to complete. As one can see, the result is truly spectacular, and the car simply oozes quality. The restoration is extensively recorded photographically but there are no bills on file as the owner did not wish to count the cost of the exercise, which was undertaken for love not profit. It may safely be assumed that the cost exceeded the catalogue estimate by a substantial margin! Research has revealed that the only other Star 14/40 known to the Star Register may well have been destroyed in an Australian bushfire some years ago; even if this is not the case, you are unlikely to encounter another any time soon. The current vendor acquired the Star in 2017, since when a comprehensive £25,000 rebuild of the engine and gearbox has been carried out by Tim Abbott Ltd of Northampton (detailed invoices and photographs are available). Little used since and only in dry weather, this is a rare car that would enhance any private collection. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com