Vehicle Description
The Star Engineering Company of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, was,
for a brief time, a significant player in the British motor
industry. Founded in the late 1800s, Star, like many early
automobile companies, evolved from cycle manufacturing into
automobiles. The earliest Stars relied on outside designs from the
likes of Benz and others. But instead of merely assembling outside
parts and components, Star manufactured nearly every part in its
factory. With that kind of manufacturing experience, it was only
natural that the company moved on to produce cars entirely of its
own design. In 1909 Star introduced its most successful model, the
Fifteen. A conventional vehicle with four-cylinder engines ranging
from 3 to 3.5-litres, the Fifteen was named for its taxable
horsepower rating and was offered with a wide variety of body
styles, primarily built by Star's respected in-house body shop. The
Fifteen was highly regarded for its quality construction,
performance, and comfort. Beyond the Fifteen, Star also offered a
6.9-litre six-cylinder, and a gargantuan 7.7-litre four, but they
were built in comparatively tiny numbers. Star grew steadily in the
years before and immediately after The Great War and briefly
enjoyed being Britain's sixth-largest motor manufacturer.
Unfortunately for Star, their competition evolved rapidly in the
late twenties and into the thirties. Conservative management and a
cramped, outdated factory led to lagging sales and financial
losses. The final new model to arrive was the 1931 Comet, which
only lasted one year before production halted abruptly. Curiously,
the final entry in the order books was for an 1898 Star-Benz,
preserved and displayed in the company lobby for 34 years, and sold
to a buyer in Birmingham for just £5. Despite their success, Star
is a little-known marque outside Britain, and exports were
primarily limited to British colonies like India, Australia, New
Zealand, and in Africa. This immensely charming 1913 Star Fifteen
Gentleman's Roadster is likely one of the only examples of the
marque in the United States and just a handful of surviving export
models. It is a wonderfully appealing motorcar that spent the past
thirty-six years in one family's care and with a history going back
to the 1950s when it was discovered in Otago on New Zealand's South
Island. Because the export markets had considerably warmer climates
than England, Star modified export cars with the pointed "bullnose"
radiator to increase cooling capacity, as equipped on this example.
Another fascinating detail is this car's two-passenger "Gentleman's
Roadster" body, which carries a coachbuilder's tag from Stuart of
Wolverhampton. While the vast majority of Stars wore factory
coachwork, a shop fire necessitated the services of outside
coachbuilders when this car was built. According to the most recent
owner, this Star was discovered in 1953 and treated to a
restoration soon after. Documents show it was re-registered in New
Zealand by Arthur Stanley Atkinson in 1958. Mr. Atkinson enjoyed
the Star for about ten years before selling it on. It changed hands
a couple of times through the early 1980s, before finding a home in
a private auto museum. In 1984, an American Pan Am pilot on a
weekend layover in Auckland visited the collection and fell in love
with the Star. The American visitor had no intention of buying a
car when he visited the museum, but the flame was lit when the
owner mentioned he was selling some cars to cover his debts. A deal
was quickly done, and in March 1984, the Star Fifteen had a new
American owner. After making the trek stateside via a Pan Am 747
cargo plane, the Star settled into its new home on the West Coast.
While still as-restored in the 1950s, it was in excellent running
condition thanks to 30-plus years of regular use on numerous
Vintage Car Club of New Zealand tours. The Star was used regularly
for family outings, picnics, and occasional show events in the San
Francisco area with its new owners. At the time of its restoration,
it was fitted with more sporting wire wheels in place of the
original wood wheels and updated with a self-starter, dynamo, and
electrical system, possibly from a later model Star Fifteen, which
made the car noticeably more user-friendly. Cherished by the same
owners since 1984, the Star Fifteen roadster remains as charming as
ever, presented in an attractive shade of pale yellow over black
wings. The sporty and stylish coachwork is well-built, with unique
features including an occasional rear seat and a sliding luggage
rack built into the trunk. The finish displays a well-earned patina
from years of steady use and care, with a wonderfully inviting
character. The wire wheels wear period-appropriate Dunlop tires,
and accessories include dual cowl lamps, a single side-mount spare,
and a wicker picnic hamper. Aside from the electrical system
updates made in the '50s, the only other deviation from standard
spec is the addition of an electric fuel pump to help feed the
engine at higher speeds. A 1998 feature in British Car Magazine
praises this Star for its superb road manners and remarkable
refinement from the 3-litre engine and four-speed gearbox. The
owner reported easily achieving 50 mph in 3rd gear, with one more
cog left to go. It is sure to bring joy to its next caretakers,
much as it has for the past thirty-six years. Rare and wholly
delightful, this marvelous Star Fifteen is ready for the next
chapter in its long and fascinating story. Offers welcome and
trades considered For additional details please view this listing
directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6734-1913-star-fifteen-roadster/