Lot details

Year: 1915
Make: Calthorpe
Model: Tourer
Registration: DS 8238
Chassis No: 2505
Odometer: tba

• Offered to market for the first time in 111 years
• Runs and drives
• A unique piece of British motoring history

The Calthorpe Tourer stands as a refined example of early British motoring, capturing a moment when craftsmanship and engineering were closely intertwined. Produced by the Calthorpe Motor Company of Birmingham, it reflects a transitional era in automotive history where vehicles were evolving from experimental machines into practical forms of personal transport.Characterised by its elegant yet purposeful design, the Tourer featured an open-top body, allowing passengers to experience the road with a sense of freedom that enclosed cars could not yet offer. Its long bonnet, spoked wheels, and simple, upright stance gave it a dignified presence, while its lightweight construction contributed to respectable performance for the time.

Under the bonnet, the 1915 model typically housed a modest but reliable engine, engineered with durability in mind rather than outright speed. This made it suitable for both leisurely drives through the countryside and the increasingly common longer-distance journeys of the early 20th century. The mechanical simplicity of the car also meant it could be maintained with relative ease, an important consideration during a period when garages were scarce. Inside, the Tourer offered minimal luxury by modern standards, yet it conveyed a certain charm. Leather seating, a basic dashboard, and hand-operated controls created an engaging, tactile driving experience. Every journey required skill and attention, reinforcing the connection between driver and machine.

This Calthorpe Tourer spent a number of years in a Museum before being put into professional storage in 1999. The Calthorpe family, having owned this car from new, have recently made the decision to part with the car. New tyres have been fitted and an 'old school' mechanic has worked his magic and got the car running and driving. He did say that some further light recommissioning would be beneficial. Clearly a restoration project has been carried out on this Tourer, unfortunately we have no details of by whom or when. The cream coachwork is in good order as is the brown leather trim. From an era when cars were basic, this Calthorpe certainly falls into that category. However, what is plainly evident is the quality of design and engineering that went into this 111 year old vehicle. A Calthorpe Tourer is an incredibly rare sight, to find one in this condition and without any previous keepers is quite frankly, astonishing. Supplied with a V5 registration document, the Calthorpe Tourer is remembered not only as a vehicle but as a symbol of motoring's formative years, an era defined by innovation, resilience, and a pioneering spirit. Consigned by Stewart Banks