Star Motor Company

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The Star Motor Company was a British car and commercial vehicle maker based in Wolverhampton and active from 1898 to 1932.

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^[1]. The first car was made in 1898 and a separate company, the Star Motor Company was registered as a wholly owned subsidiary of Star Engineering Ltd. The early vehicles were heavily influenced by existing car makers and the 1898 3.5 was essentially a single cylinder Benz and often called the Star-Benz. One a week was being made in 1899^[1]. Two cylinder models followed in 1901 with the 7 and 10 with De Dion engines and in 1902 a four cylinder 20hp appeared. From 1904 only four cylinder models were made.

The Star Cycle Company run by Edward Lisle's son, also called Edward, had continued in business and in 1905 entered the car industry in its own right and produced a two seater called the Starling. To avoid confusion a new company, the Briton Motor Company was formed in 1909 and the products were badged as Britons. Manufacture continued until 1928.

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^[1].

During World War 1 the company made a large number of lorries for the army and did some work on aircraft engines.

Post-war car production resumed in 1919 with the pre-war 3014 cc 15.9hp and 3815 cc 20.1hp models and in the early 1920s they were making 1000 cars a year^[1] from their cramped workshops.

In 1928 Edward Lisle sold the company to Guy Motors who were also based in Wolverhampton who wanted to add a range of cars to their heavy vehicle production. Production was moved to a new plant in Bushbury on the Wolverhampton northern outskirts near to the Clyno factory but profits were elusive and production was stopped in 1932.

[edit] Star cars (main models)

Type	Year	Approx Production	Engine	Notes
3.5	1898-1902		1296 cc single cylinder	[2]
7hp	1900-1904		1104 cc twin cylinder	De Dion engine. [2]
10hp	1902-1903		2588 cc twin cylinder	12 bhp at 800 rpm.[2]
20hp	1902-1903		5176 cc four cylinder	24 bhp at 800 rpm.[2]
12hp	1904		2830 cc four cylinder	16 bhp at 1000 rpm.[2]
18hp	1904-1908		4170 cc four cylinder	[2]
24hp	1904		4815 cc four cylinder	[2]
15hp	1909-1913		2830/3160/3459 cc four cylinder	2830 cc in 1909. 121 inch (3.07 m) wheelbase. [2]
30hp	1906		4740/6980 cc six cylinder	120 inch (3.04 m)wheelbase.[2]
40hp	1907-11		6980 cc six cylinder	140 inch (3.55 m) wheelbase. [2]
15.9	1913-1924	800	3012 cc four cylinder	Four speed gearbox. In chassis only form cost between £750-825.[3]
20.1	1912-1923	100	3815 cc four cylinder	Same engine as 15.9 but with larger bore.[3]
11.9	1921-1923	2000	1795 cc four cylinder	Three speed gearbox. Saloon version cost £750.[3]
Six	1923-1927	250	2916 or 3265 cc six cylinder	18 and 20 hp versions. Four wheel brakes optional from 1924, standard from 1925. 70 mph top speed.[3]
14/30 and 14/40	1924-1927	1000	2176 or 2120 cc four cylinder	Four wheel brakes optional. Four speed gearbox.[3]
12/25 and 12/40	1923-1928	2000	1945 cc four cylinder	Four speed gearbox. 12/40 engine was the first Star to have overhead valves.[3]
18/50	1926-1932	1000	2470/2920 cc six cylinder	Named Jason for 1928 and Comet 18/50 from 1930 and Comet 18 in 1931.[3]
20/60	1928-1932	175	3180/3620 cc six cylinder	Named the Comet 20/60 and then the Planet 21.[4]
Planet 21	1928-1932		3180/3620 cc six cylinder	The Planet 24 had the larger engine. Hector saloon and Perseus coupé and tourers.[4]
Comet 14	1932	Few made.	2100 cc six cylinder	Saloon or coupé. Bendix brakes. [4]

[edit] References

for a complete list of surviving cars, see http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/Cars/staregister/starreg00.htm