Lot details
Registration No: EL 1276
Chassis No: 4181
Mot Expiry: Sept 2005

Henry Ford developed his first petroleum fuelled internal combustion engine powered buggy in the final years of the nineteenth century. By the standards of automobiles to come, the resultant quadricycle with twin-cylinder engine was rather primitive - and it was not until 1903 that his Ford Motor Company set up shop in a disused wagon works in Mack Avenue, Detroit, to produce the twin-cylinder Model A.
The two-seater N Runabout appeared from 1906. With 15hp four-cylinder motor mounted in a lightweight, though nonetheless robust chassis topped with minimalist two-seater bodywork, it was no sluggard. Subsequent Deluxe Models R and then S were direct developments of the N and were the forerunners for Ford's `Universal Car', which was to become the world acclaimed Model T, the automobile that was to popularise motoring for the masses.
Lefthand drive chassis number 4181 was in previous ownership since 1980, spending many of the years carefully preserved by being laid up on blocks before acquisition by the current owner in 2001. Currently, the overall condition of chassis and coachwork, which is believed to be to the original specification in all major respects, is described as being generally good, as are the red livery with black leathercloth interior. The 1500cc four and two-speed gearbox are reportedly in good order, too, as are the wheels and tyres - whilst the current MOT for EL 1276 is valid until October of next year.