Chassis n° 9589
Bonhams
Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
The Grand Palais Éphémère
Place Joffre
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2023
Estimated : € 375.000 - 450.000
Unsold
Ateliers de Construction Mécanique l'Aster was based here in the suburbs of Paris at St Denis, Seine, the company being best known for the manufacture of reliable engines, and supplying many of the infant motor industry's smaller manufacturers. In the early years of the 20th Century, France led the world in motor car development and Aster was there at the forefront. Commencing motor car manufacture in 1900, the firm displayed a 3½hp quadricycle at that year's Paris Salon. Engine sizes were progressively developed and multi-cylinder engines soon followed. In the UK, the West-Aster and Whitlock-Aster were built in small numbers, while quality French manufacturers such as Aries and Gladiator were major Aster customers.
There are few London to Brighton-eligible cars that tick as many of the right boxes as this magnificent 1904 Aster. Four cylinders, mechanically operated valves, four-speed gearbox, five-seat coachwork, and an engine of around 2.7 litres capacity, to which it adds a windscreen, canopy, and roll-down side screens. Each of the engine's four cylinders is separately cast with T-head valve configuration, and fuel is supplied via a Zenith carburettor. A later distributor has been fitted for reliability, and the car also enjoys the benefit of a self-starter.
Fittingly, the body carries the builder's plate of Carrosserie Automobile Renaudin Fils Besson, like Aster, being also Paris based, and, although not original to this car, was acquired by a previous owner as a perfect match to an exceedingly good Veteran chassis. This period coachwork retains much original upholstery to the rear, while the varnished wooden panelling has survived over 115 years in remarkably intact condition.
Looking every bit the archetypal big horsepower Veteran, the car is extremely handsome in black livery with plentiful varnished woodwork, including the wheels, and is generously equipped with brass fittings throughout. The headlamps are majestic Ducellier units, self-contained acetylene, and the oil side lamps. additional equipment includes a bulb horn, four dashboard oilers, and a Shaffer & Budenberg pressure gauge. Side-mounted wicker picnic hampers provide for the longer journey, while the roll down side curtains hang from the canopy to provide full protection in inclement weather.
Its presentation today reflects ownership in the past two decades by a series of knowledgeable and active touring enthusiasts, who have refurbished, refined and ultimately maintained the car. Significant work carried out in the late 2000s comprised renewing the wheel bearings; fitting a drip-feed oiler to the brass timing gear case; altering the alternator drive to charge the battery more efficiently; rebuilding the water pump with a new impeller; re-manufacturing the rear axle and fitting new shackles and shackle pins; rebuilding the transmission chain tension rods; relining the clutch and restoring the clutch brake mechanism; fitting a new clutch brake lining and new brake disc to the flywheel; restoring the driveshaft and flexible link to the flywheel; overhauling the carburettor with a re-manufactured jet; re-coring the radiator; and re-trimming the interior in black leather.
The practical nature of this London to Brighton-eligible Aster and its suitability for long distance motoring is evidenced by its participation in events around the world over the course of the last 2 decades, in those active enthusiast ownerships. These included the Paris-Vienna Rally in 2002; an epic drive from Brisbane to Sydney, Australia in 2005; and the successful completion of the 1,000 Miles Trial Re-enactment in 2000. In more recent times in the current ownership events such as the Oldtimer Weekend Rally, Leliestad, 2018 and 2019, Bassano del Grappa Rally, 2019, and Teuf-Teuf Compiegne Rally in 2021 have also been completed. Throughout, and with barely an exception, the car has been entered and successfully completed the annual London to Brighton Runs, even virtually by distance in 2020! Most recently, on the most challenging of runs in 2022, the car swiftly made it to Brighton without issue.
This car has been known to the Veteran Car Club for many years and was officially dated in September 1961 (Certificate number '904'). A copy of that certificate forms part of the accompanying history file, which also contains various photographs, expired MoT certificates, and correspondence with previous owners. It was previously registered in the UK, and remains on the UK system where it wore the plate 'AK 268' also on file is a copy of 1904 Yorkshire registration records showing Aster car registration number 'AK 268'.
One of the most practical Brighton cars, and comfortably able to accommodate 4 or more passengers, it has a proven ability to carve its way through the field and achieve an early finish on the sea front at Madeira Drive. What more magnificent way to arrive at Brighton - come hail or come shine - and all this backed up by the cacophony of sound that comes from a powerful engine with final drive by chains.
