Star Motor Company

Last updated

20.1 hp tourer 1914 1914 Star 20 hp tourer (31724765871).jpg
20.1 hp tourer 1914
11.9 saloon 1922 1922 Star 11.9hp saloon (30696392142).jpg
11.9 saloon 1922

The Star Motor Company was a British car and commercial vehicle maker based in Wolverhampton and active from 1898 to 1932. At its peak Star was the UK's sixth largest car manufacturer and produced around 1000 cars a year. [1]

Contents

Star was founded by the Lisle family who like many other vehicle makers started by making bicycles, in their case in 1893 as Sharratt and Lisle. In 1896 this was changed to the Star Cycle Company. [2]

The badge of the Star Motor Company, as depicted on its 1904 Gordon Bennett Cup racer. Star car badge.jpg
The badge of the Star Motor Company, as depicted on its 1904 Gordon Bennett Cup racer.

History

Foundation and bicycles

Star Motorcycle Star Motorcycle.jpg
Star Motorcycle
Star tricycle advert in 1899 Star tricycle 1899.jpeg
Star tricycle advert in 1899

Edward Lisle built his own first bicycle in the early 1870s and had enough success racing it that he began to build additional bicycles to order. In 1876, he partnered with William Sharratt to increase production, but that partnership only lasted three years. In 1883, Edward Lisle founded the Star Cycle Company. Besides safety bicycles, models included tandems and a Pedersen. [3] In 1889 the company purchased a factory on Stewart Street and by 1899, production reached 10,000 cycles per year, and by 1904 Star was the largest Wolverhampton based bicycle manufacturer. [4]

Expansion and automobiles

1898 Star in Auckland, New Zealand 1898 Star motor car, the first motor car in Auckland.jpg
1898 Star in Auckland, New Zealand

Planning for the Star car began in 1897 when the company acquired a 3.5 hp Benz car and used it as the basis for the design of their own car. The early vehicles were heavily influenced by existing car makers and the 1898 3.5 was essentially a single-cylinder 3.5 hp Benz and often called the Star-Benz; it had two speeds, chain drive, wire spoke wheels, acetylene lighting, electric ignition, and Clipper pneumatic tires standard, for £189. [5] Star then purchased the rights to produce Star-Benz cars in Wolverhampton and began production at the Stewart Street Works. The cars were now being sold under the Star Motor Company name, a registered subsidiary of Star Engineering Limited, who adopted a policy of building as much as possible in-house. The Star-Benz model sold well and around 250 were made. The cars initially sold for £189 but in 1900 they were selling for £168 and the company was producing 20 a week.

1904 Gordon Bennett entrant 1905 Star Gordon Bennett Racer (20959457654).jpg
1904 Gordon Bennett entrant
1904 tonneau 748 cc Star 1904 on London to Brighton VCR 2008 (2996697471).jpg
1904 tonneau 748 cc

One a week was being made in 1899, [2] and in the first year, they made their first export sale, to Auckland, New Zealand. [6] Exports became a major part of Star's business, particularly to Australia and New Zealand. In 1891 Lisle had adopted a 6 pointed star as their logo which led to a successful suit against Mercedes in 1902 where it was found they had infringed Star's copyright with their 3 or 4 pointed star emblem. [3] In 1900, production had expanded to facilities in Dudley Road and Nelson, Stewart, Ablow, and Dobb Streets. A two-cylinder three-speed model appeared that year, also, at the Richmond Automobile Club Show. Encouraged by founder Edward Lisle, they were also being entered in the 1000 Miles' Trial (where it proved fragile), along with "every test or competition for which they were eligible". [5] In 1901, the 7 and 10 with vertical twin De Dion engines and in 1902 a four-cylinder 20 hp appeared. In 1903, copying the leading maker, Mercedes, Star introduced a 12 hp four, and set a record of 39 mph (63 km/h) on a 2-mile (3.2 km) run in County Cork, Ireland, under the auspices of the Irish Automobile Club. In addition, two Stars ran in the Isle of Man qualifying races for the Gordon Bennett Cup; neither 10-litre car made it. [5] From 1904 only four-cylinder models were made.

In 1902 the Star Motor Company changed its name to the Star Engineering company. The company rapidly expanded and diversified, expanding the Stewart Street works and obtaining additional premises in neighbouring streets. The company built a new factory in 1903 on a 40,000sq.ft. sit on Frederick Street. Star began to create their own more advanced designs and in 1903 several new models were released. Particularly popular was the 'Little Star' model released in early 1904 which had a 7 hp. twin cylinder engine and sold for £175. [3]

For 1906, there was a new 3261 cc (200 ci) 14 hp four, [5] as well as a new six, the 6227 cc (380 ci) 30 hp; the six, increased in displacement to 6981 cc (426 ci) in 1909, lasted until 1911. [5] The main Star company continued to make well engineered models up to the outbreak of war in 1914 adding a range of vans and trucks to the output and became one of the six largest British car makers. [2]

The Star Cycle Company run by Lisle's son, also called Edward, had continued in business building bicycles and motorcycles and in 1905 entered the car industry in its own right. The company was affected by the deep depression that hit the bicycle industry in 1905. In order to combat the decline in sales Star decided to produce a cheaper car called the 'Starling' that sold for £110. Although the name of these cars was changed to 'Stuart' the 'Starling name was readopted in 1907 and production continued until 1909. [7] In 1907, there was a 1296 cc (79 ci) single and a 1531 cc (94 ci) twin and the Stuart (Starling after 1907), with chassis from Hopper, a Barton-upon-Humber cycle maker (which sold them as Torpedoes). [8] The decision was taken in 1909 to make the Star Engineering Company a limited liability company with the Star Cycle Company becoming a subsidiary company. Joseph Lisle, one of Edward's sons, was appointed managing director of the company. To avoid confusion a new company, the Briton Motor Company [9] was formed in 1909 and the products were badged as Britons. Briton took control of production of the 'Starling' and 'Stuart' and the first two cars were a 2282 cc (139 ci) 12 hp twin and a 2413 cc (147 ci) 14 hp four; the 14 hp (10 kW) became available as a Star in 1910. [10]

Star proper took advantage of export sales, and saw racing success in South Africa, a 14 hp (10 kW) winning the Transvaal Automobile Club hillclimb, and the New Zealand national hillclimb championship. [11] For 1913, there was a 1743 cc (106 ci) Briton, which became the 10/12 in 1914. [5] Stars accorded themselves well in the 1909 Irish Reliability Trial, while a 12 hp (8.9 kW) won its class in all the hillclimbs of the Scottish Automobile Club trial, where a new 2862 cc (175 ci) '15 hp' (actually 19.6 hp) debuted; it would persist three years. [5]

In 1912, Star introduced the torpedo-bodied 15.9 hp, with a 3016 cc (184 ci; 80x150mm) four and new bullnosed radiator; originally for export, it proved aesthetically pleasing, and was adopted for all models. It was quick, as well, running an RAC trial of 801  mile (1289 km) at Brooklands at an average 66.75 mph (107.42 km/h) that year. The 15.9 would remain in production until 1922. [5]

First World War and after

Like many companies during the First World War Star came under control of the government, devoting their output to the war effort. Commercial vehicles were made for the British, French and Russian armies but Star's main contribution was the production of aircraft wings and parts for mines. In 1918 the company accepted an order to produce 400 V8 Renault engines but had only built 12 by the time the war ended and military contracts were cancelled.

Following the war, prices in the car market fluctuated greatly. Post-war inflation pushed prices up with the cost of some Star cars reaching above £1000, making them effectively unsaleable. However, as the economy entered recession prices dropped dramatically and Star was able to introduce a new range of models at cheaper prices. The 11.9 hp model performed well, selling at a rate of 20 a week for the next few years. [3]

Post-war car production resumed in 1919 with the pre-war 15.9 hp (11.9 kW) and 3815 cc 20.1 hp Star, and the 10/12 Briton, [12] models and in the early 1920s Star were making 1000 cars a year [2] from their cramped workshops. Briton, however, went under in 1922, a victim of the postwar economic slump, being bought by C.A. Weight; the last four Britons were exported to Australia in 1929. [13] A more up-to-date model, with a 1795 cc (110ci) sidevalve was introduced in 1921, with the same high quality. [5]

14-40 two-seater, 2-litre ohv 4-cyl, 1926 1926 Star two-seater Star motor car.jpg
14-40 two-seater, 2-litre ohv 4-cyl, 1926

The death of founder Edward Lisle in 1921 was a major blow for Star. At the time Star had been attempting to bail out the ailing Briton Motor Company which put the company under a lot of pressure. Edward was succeeded by Joseph [5] (formerly head of Star Engineering). [14] Despite these setbacks, Stars entered two 11.9hps in the Scottish Six Days' Light Car Trials, placing first and second in the hands of R. Lisle and G.G.Cathie; the winner was sold to New Zealand, where it proved dominant in local racing, while a different 11.9 swept the Australian 1000 Mile Alpine Test. [5] This car developed into the 1945 cc (119ci) 12/25 in 1924, followed by a pushrod overhead valve 12/40 with four-wheel brakes (then a rarity) and four-speed gearbox, capable of 80 mph (129 km/h). [5] It was joined by an 18/40 six, as well as lorries of 25cwt, 34-40cwt, and 50-60cwt, all powered by the 12/25 engine. [5] Star avoided any major damage as the Briton Motor Company name and facilities were sold off, allowing production levels at Star to continue rising. [3]

Later years and takeover

Mercury Star Mercury Motorcar.jpg
Mercury
Share of the Star Motor Company Ltd., issued 28. February 1929 Star Motor Company 1929.jpg
Share of the Star Motor Company Ltd., issued 28. February 1929
1926 Star Scorpio Star Scorpio 1926.jpg
1926 Star Scorpio

Despite producing at record levels between 1921 and 1925, making around 1000 cars a year, Star was still not making much of a profit on their sales. The company continued to release upgraded new models but the time spent making the components and assembling the cars meant Star cars were very expensive in comparison to companies such as Austin and Morris. The mass production techniques embraced by these companies allowed them to produce their cars a much cheaper prices, so while Star continued to produce cars of the same quality and reliability they eventually found themselves squeezed out of the market. [15] Combined with the recession of the late 1920s this meant that Star could only produce 105 cars in 1927.

As a result of this Star entered a financially precarious state and in 1928 fellow Wolverhampton manufacturer Guy Motors took control through an exchange of shares. Star did continue to exist as a separate company, operating under the name of the Star Motor Company Limited. As part of this new arrangement Star's old factory on Frederick Street was closed down and sold off and production was moved to another of Star's sites on Showell Lane in Bushbury [3] near the Clyno factory. From here came the new 18/50, a 2470 cc (ci) six, with wet cylinder liners, duralumin connecting rods, aluminium pistons, seven bearing crankshaft, which in 1930 were redone as the Comet and Planet. [5] Star cars were now built entirely under one roof while the workforce was reduced to 250 and the range of models reduced in order to reduce competition with Guy products.

Comet 18, 1931 Black Country Living Museum - Bradburn & Wedge Ltd - 1931 Star 6050350033.jpg
Comet 18, 1931

Under the management of Guy, Star continued to produce quality cars although they proved to be far too expensive for ordinary people. The 'Comet', 'Planet' and 'Jason' models were introduced in 1930, the 18/50 hp. 'Jason' proving the most popular, selling at £595. Various versions of these models were released, including coupés, limousines and tourers. However a loss was still being made on every model sold and with Guy having their own financial troubles they could not afford to modernise Star's Bushbury plant. With nowhere left to turn a receiver was appointed for Star in March 1932. [3] The spares and manufacturing rights of the company were sold off to McKenzie and Denley (Birmingham), which continued to have Star cars and NOS parts catalogued in 1962., [5] while the Bushbury factory was acquired by Manley & Regulus, who produced plumbing fittings. [1]

Star cars (main models)

TypeYearApprox ProductionEngineNotes
3.51898–19021296 cc single-cylinder [16]
7 hp1900–19041104 cc twin-cylinderDe Dion engine. [16]
10 hp1902–19032588 cc twin-cylinder12 bhp (8.9 kW) at 800 rpm. [16]
20 hp1902–19035176 cc four-cylinder24 bhp (18 kW) at 800 rpm. [16]
12 hp19042830 cc four-cylinder16 bhp (12 kW) at 1000 rpm. [16]
18 hp1904–19084170 cc four-cylinder [16]
24 hp19044815 cc four-cylinder [16]
15 hp1909–19132830/3160/3459 cc four-cylinder2830 cc in 1909. 121 inch (3.07 m) wheelbase. [16]
30 hp19064740/6980 cc six-cylinder120 inch (3.04 m)wheelbase. [16]
40 hp1907–116980 cc six-cylinder140 inch (3.55 m) wheelbase. [16]
15.91913–19248003012 cc four-cylinderFour speed gearbox. In chassis only form cost between £750-825. [17]
20.11912–19231003815 cc four-cylinderSame engine as 15.9 but with larger bore. [17]
11.91921–192320001795 cc four-cylinderThree speed gearbox. Saloon version cost £750. [17]
Six1923–19272502916 or 3265 cc six-cylinder18 and 20 hp (15 kW) versions. Four wheel brakes optional from 1924, standard from 1925. 70 mph (110 km/h) top speed. [17]
14/30 and 14/401924–192710002176 or 2120 cc four-cylinderFour wheel brakes optional. Four speed gearbox. [17]
12/25 and 12/401923–192820001945 cc four-cylinderFour speed gearbox. 12/40 engine was the first Star to have overhead valves. [17]
18/501926–193210002470/2920 cc six-cylinderNamed Jason for 1928 and Comet 18/50 from 1930 and Comet 18 in 1931. [17]
20/601928–19321753180/3620 cc six-cylinderNamed the Comet 20/60 and then the Planet 21. [18]
Planet 211928–19323180/3620 cc six-cylinderThe Planet 24 had the larger engine. Hector saloon and Perseus coupé and tourers. [18]
Comet 141932Few made.2100 cc six-cylinderSaloon or coupé. Bendix brakes. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DKW</span> German car and motorcycle marque, now Audi

DKW was a German car- and motorcycle-marque. DKW was one of the four companies that formed Auto Union in 1932 and thus became an ancestor of the modern-day Audi company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delaunay-Belleville</span>

Automobiles Delaunay-Belleville was a French luxury automobile manufacturer at Saint-Denis, France, north of Paris. At the beginning of the 20th century they were among the most prestigious cars produced in the world, and perhaps the most desirable French marque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NSU Motorenwerke</span> German manufacturer (1873–1967/1977)

NSU Motorenwerke AG, or NSU, was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles and pedal cycles, founded in 1873. Acquired by Volkswagen Group in 1969, VW merged NSU with Auto Union, creating Audi NSU Auto Union AG, ultimately Audi. The name NSU originated as an abbreviation of "Neckarsulm", the city where NSU was located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adler (cars and motorcycle)</span> German 1900–1957 automobile and motorcycle manufacturer

Adler was a German bicycle,automobile and motorcycle manufacturer from 1880 until 1957. The 'Adler' name is German for 'eagle'. Adlerwerke vormals Heinrich Kleyer was a German manufacturer established by Heinrich Kleyer in Frankfurt am Main.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benz Velo</span> Motor vehicle

The Benz Velo was one of the first cars, introduced by Carl Benz in 1894 as the followup to the Patent Motorwagen. 67 Benz Velos were built in 1894 and 134 in 1895. The early Velo had a 1L 1.5-metric-horsepower engine, and later a 3-metric-horsepower engine giving a top speed of 19 km/h (12 mph). The Velo was officially introduced by Karl Benz as the Velocipede, and became the world's first standardized serial production car. The Velocipede remained in production between 1894 and 1902, with a final count of over 1,200 produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbeam Motor Car Company</span> British automobile manufacturer, 1905–1934

Sunbeam Motor Car Company Limited was a British automobile manufacturer in operation between 1905 and 1934. Its works were at Moorfields in Blakenhall, a suburb of Wolverhampton in Staffordshire, now West Midlands. The Sunbeam name had originally been registered by John Marston in 1888 for his bicycle manufacturing business. Sunbeam motor car manufacture began in 1901. The motor business was sold to a newly incorporated Sunbeam Motor Car Company Limited in 1905 to separate it from Marston's pedal bicycle business; Sunbeam motorcycles were not made until 1912.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singer Motors</span> British motor vehicle manufacturer

Singer Motors Limited was a British motor vehicle manufacturing business, originally a bicycle manufacturer founded as Singer & Co by George Singer, in 1874 in Coventry, England. Singer & Co's bicycle manufacture continued. From 1901 George Singer's Singer Motor Co made cars and commercial vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stevens-Duryea</span> Defunct American motor vehicle manufacturer

Stevens-Duryea was an American manufacturer of Veteran and Brass Era automobiles in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, between 1901 and 1915 and Vintage Cars from 1919 to 1927.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belsize Motors</span>

Established in 1901, Belsize Motors was based in Clayton, Manchester, England. The company was founded by Marshall & Company and took its name from their Belsize works, where they had built bicycles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clyno</span> Engineering Company

Clyno Engineering Company, later Clyno Engineering Company (1922) Ltd, was a motorcycle and car manufacturer that operated in Thrapston from 1909 to 1910 and then in Wolverhampton from 1910 to 1929. During this time they produced over 15,000 motorcycles and between 36,000 and 40,000 cars, at one point becoming Britain's third largest car manufacturer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Itala (company)</span> Car manufacturer based in Turin, Italy

Itala was a car manufacturer based in Turin, Italy, from 1904 to 1934, started by Matteo Ceirano and five partners in 1903.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft</span> Defunct German manufacturer

Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft was a German engineering company and later automobile manufacturer, in operation from 1890 until 1926. Founded by Gottlieb Daimler (1834–1900) and Wilhelm Maybach (1846–1929), it was based first in Cannstatt. Daimler died in 1900, and their business moved in 1903 to Stuttgart-Untertürkheim after the original factory was destroyed by fire, and again to Berlin in 1922. Other factories were located in Marienfelde and Sindelfingen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guy Motors</span> Defunct British motor vehicle manufacturer

Guy Motors was a Wolverhampton-based vehicle manufacturer that produced cars, lorries, buses and trolleybuses. The company was founded by Sydney S. Guy (1885–1971) who was born in Kings Heath, Birmingham. Guy Motors operated out of its Fallings Park factory from 1914 to 1982, playing an important role in the development of the British motor industry.

Buchet was a French motorcycle and automobile manufacturer between 1899 and 1930.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steyr automobile</span>

Steyr was an Austrian automotive brand, established in 1915 as a branch of the Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft (ÖWG) weapon manufacturing company. Renamed Steyr-Werke AG in 1926 and merged with Austro-Daimler and Puch into Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, it continued manufacturing Steyr automobiles until 1959.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tempo (automobile)</span> Automobile manufacturer in Germany

Tempo, was a German automobile manufacturer based in Hamburg. The company was founded by Oscar Vidal in 1924.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercedes-Benz 130</span>

From 1931 to 1939, Daimler-Benz AG produced three cars with rear engine as well as a few prototypes. Production numbers remained low for each of these models, especially compared with the production of conventional front-engine Mercedes-Benz cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fafnir (automobile)</span> German maker of vehicles and engines, 1894-1926

Fafnir was a German engine and vehicle manufacturer based in Aachen (Prussia). They made a range of cars between 1908 and 1926.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automotive industry in Spain</span> Overview of the automotive industry in Spain

In 2015 Spain produced 2.7 million cars which made it the 8th largest automobile producer country in the world and the 2nd largest car manufacturer in Europe after Germany a position in the ranking that it was still keeping in 2024. Approximately 80% of that production is for export. During the first half of 2016, with exports valued over 24 billion euros over that period, the automotive industry accounted for 18.9% of the total Spanish exports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Briton Motor Company</span>

The Briton Motor Company was a Wolverhampton-based car manufacturer that produced cars from 1909 to 1919 then from 1922 to 1929. The company produced a number of models ranging from 7 to 16 horsepower and played an important role in the Wolverhampton motor industry.

References

  1. 1 2 Collins, Paul & Stratton, Michael, "British Car Factories from 1896", Veloce Publishing, ISBN   1-874105-04-9
  2. 1 2 3 4 G.N. Georgano, N. (2000). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: HMSO. ISBN   1-57958-293-1.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wolverhampton History and Heritage, Star Cars Archived 4 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine , retrieved September 2012
  4. "The Star Bicycle Company". Wolverhampton History & Heritage. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Wise, David Burgess. "Star: W’hampton’s Bright Lights", in Northey, Tom, ed. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis Publishing, 1974), Volume 19, pp.2161.
  6. Wise, op. cit., p.2162.
  7. Brighton-Early.com, Star Motor Company Retrieved September 2012
  8. Wise, loc.cit.
  9. As if things were not complicated enough, the U.S. Star was also sold in Britain, as the Rugby. G.N. Georgano Cars: Early and Vintage, 1886-1930. (London: Grange-Universal, 1985)
  10. Wise, loc.cit.
  11. Wise, op.cit., p.2163
  12. Wise, op.cit., p.2162
  13. ibid., p.2164.
  14. ibid., p .2162
  15. Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, "Lost Causes of Motoring" Cassell & Company Ltd., 1960
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Culshaw, P.; Horrobin (1978). Complete catalogue of British Cars. London: Macmillan. ISBN   0-333-16689-2.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Baldwin, N. (1994). A-Z of Cars of the 1920s. Bideford, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN   1-870979-53-2.
  18. 1 2 3 Sedgwick, M.; Gillies (1989). A–Z of Cars of the 1930s. Bideford, UK: Bay View Books. ISBN   1-870979-38-9.