Maudslay 17hp two seat open tourer

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The Maudslay Motor Company was founded in 1902 by Cyril Charles Maudslay, great grandson of the eminent engineer Henry Maudslay. The marque survived into the 1940s, manufacturing commercial vehicles and marine engines although the company only built motorcars until 1913.

By 1908 a four-cylinder 17hp model was offered. The design was most innovative and included one of the first production overhead-camshaft engines. Intriguingly, the camshaft could be rotated clear of the valve gear to allow quick and easy attendance to this part of the engine. There were also large circular removable ‘port holes’ to the crankcase through which the connecting rods could be easily removed.

The car offered is one of these 17hp models, of short chassis design built in 1909, retaining its original four-cylinder 3.3-litre engine with dual magneto and coil ignition and four speed gearbox. This car is believed to be the only surviving short chassis model and the earliest 17hp example of any Maudslay motorcar still in existence.

It was rescued in 1961 following an unknown but significant period of retirement and was acquired by the current owner in 1968. There followed a complete restoration by Bassett Down Specialist Engineers from 1975 until completion and reregistering with the DVLA in 1984.

The restoration included a new two-seater open body with a removable third seat. Rolls-Royce 20hp rear brakes were later fitted which greatly improved the ability to bring the vehicle to a halt when required. The addition of a dynostart and electric conversion to the acetylene lamps were also added in the interest of making the car more usable in more modern motoring times.

The car is presented in fine running order, with an MOT until June 2020 and is accompanied by a history file containing numerous restoration receipts, letters from the Maudslay company dated 1961 and an original Maudslay handbook.

Used extensively by the current owner’s family, it has been entered in VSCC Prescott and VSCC Curborough speed events and offers the opportunity to own a delightful, fully operational and very driveable rare Edwardian motor car.

Since cataloguing, we have been contacted by the Chairman of the Maudslay Society who has requested we make the new owner aware of their Anniversary in 2021 - so this car comes with a fascinating event in the diary already!!