Colour: Claret/black Cylinders: 4; 4,398cc Gears: 4 + reverse Marius Berliet commenced motor car production at Lyons as early as 1895, building production modestly initially but establishing a reputation as a high quality manufacturer soon after the turn of the century with large Mercedes-like motor cars - perhaps the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of France at the time, surpassing even Panhard-Levassor. By the 1920s Berliet had adapted to a changing market, producing a range of less grandiose models until 1939 when private car production ceased, the firm concentrating on commercial vehicles thereafter. This splendid Berliet Enclosed Limousine is believed to be one of the four cars (plus a solitary chassis) exhibited at the 1912 London Motor Show by the UK importer, Berliet Motors, of Sackville Street, London W1, three of which were 20/25hp models. Berliet’s 20/25hp L14 model (also referred to as the ‘22hp’) was powered by a four-cylinder monobloc sidevalve engine displacing 4,398cc, which drove via a four-speed gearbox and Cardan shaft/torque tube final drive, making it an ideal choice for formal coachwork. The Motor Show quartet comprised an all-weather tourer and a cabriolet, both by Salmons of Newport Pagnell; a ‘torpedo’ by Max Graddon & Lawson; and this car, completed with coachwork by William Arnold of Manchester, a front-ranking coachbuilder whose predominantly Mancunian clientele favoured only the finest chassis. The Arnold-bodied example was recorded at the time as ‘a handsome car, fitted up in the most luxurious manner’. The Arnold-bodied Berliet limousine was clearly intended for someone from the upper echelons of Edwardian society, and indeed, its first owner was Manchester-based architect, Joseph Sunlight, who may well have commissioned its construction. A Russian-Jewish émigré, Joseph Sunlight had arrived from Russia with his family (named Schimschlavitch) in 1890, settling in Manchester, and by 1907 had established his own architect’s practice, building houses, factories and warehouses. One of the foremost architects in the north west of England, his most important work was Sunlight House in Manchester, which was the tallest British skyscraper outside London when it was completed in 1934. Liberal MP for Shrewsbury in 1923-24, during the Labour Government of Ramsey Macdonald, Sunlight was rated at one time among the highest individual taxpayers in the North of England. Joseph Sunlight gained public recognition far beyond his chosen profession thanks to a fondness for gambling on horse racing – he once won £25,000 at the racetrack the day after losing £20,000 – yet his personal fortune still amounted to some £5 million when he died in 1978. The Berliet had been disposed of two years previously – in 1976 – together with a number of other cars Sunlight had owned from new. Since leaving Joseph Sunlight’s care the Berliet has passed through the hands of a number of prominent Veteran Car Club members and currently shares its stable with other fine quality European Edwardians. Unlike many early limousines, this car is not overly high, being 2,032mm (6’ 8”) tall at its highest point and 4,547mm (14’ 11”) long. The whole car is in most sound, original and complete condition commensurate with suggested low mileage. The few departures from factory specification amount to a change of carburettor (a non-original Claudel Hobson is fitted) and the substitution of CAV electric lighting for Bleriot oil/acetylene. The 4/5-seater coachwork is all aluminium and was repainted (with coach paint) 3-4 years ago, while the sumptuous interior features beige cloth buttoned rear upholstery with fine pasting lace; bird’s eye maple marquetry to the ceiling; and railway carriage-style, drop-down side windows. Virtually all the original fittings are retained including brass flower vases; Willocq Bottin opera lamps; fluted ceiling lights; silk blinds to rear side windows and internal division; rear luggage rack; running board tool box; Toby ‘diver’s helmet’ br
Colour: Claret/black Cylinders: 4; 4,398cc Gears: 4 + reverse Marius Berliet commenced motor car production at Lyons as early as 1895, building production modestly initially but establishing a reputation as a high quality manufacturer soon after the turn of the century with large Mercedes-like motor cars - perhaps the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of France at the time, surpassing even Panhard-Levassor. By the 1920s Berliet had adapted to a changing market, producing a range of less grandiose models until 1939 when private car production ceased, the firm concentrating on commercial vehicles thereafter. This splendid Berliet Enclosed Limousine is believed to be one of the four cars (plus a solitary chassis) exhibited at the 1912 London Motor Show by the UK importer, Berliet Motors, of Sackville Street, London W1, three of which were 20/25hp models. Berliet’s 20/25hp L14 model (also referred to as the ‘22hp’) was powered by a four-cylinder monobloc sidevalve engine displacing 4,398cc, which drove via a four-speed gearbox and Cardan shaft/torque tube final drive, making it an ideal choice for formal coachwork. The Motor Show quartet comprised an all-weather tourer and a cabriolet, both by Salmons of Newport Pagnell; a ‘torpedo’ by Max Graddon & Lawson; and this car, completed with coachwork by William Arnold of Manchester, a front-ranking coachbuilder whose predominantly Mancunian clientele favoured only the finest chassis. The Arnold-bodied example was recorded at the time as ‘a handsome car, fitted up in the most luxurious manner’. The Arnold-bodied Berliet limousine was clearly intended for someone from the upper echelons of Edwardian society, and indeed, its first owner was Manchester-based architect, Joseph Sunlight, who may well have commissioned its construction. A Russian-Jewish émigré, Joseph Sunlight had arrived from Russia with his family (named Schimschlavitch) in 1890, settling in Manchester, and by 1907 had established his own architect’s practice, building houses, factories and warehouses. One of the foremost architects in the north west of England, his most important work was Sunlight House in Manchester, which was the tallest British skyscraper outside London when it was completed in 1934. Liberal MP for Shrewsbury in 1923-24, during the Labour Government of Ramsey Macdonald, Sunlight was rated at one time among the highest individual taxpayers in the North of England. Joseph Sunlight gained public recognition far beyond his chosen profession thanks to a fondness for gambling on horse racing – he once won £25,000 at the racetrack the day after losing £20,000 – yet his personal fortune still amounted to some £5 million when he died in 1978. The Berliet had been disposed of two years previously – in 1976 – together with a number of other cars Sunlight had owned from new. Since leaving Joseph Sunlight’s care the Berliet has passed through the hands of a number of prominent Veteran Car Club members and currently shares its stable with other fine quality European Edwardians. Unlike many early limousines, this car is not overly high, being 2,032mm (6’ 8”) tall at its highest point and 4,547mm (14’ 11”) long. The whole car is in most sound, original and complete condition commensurate with suggested low mileage. The few departures from factory specification amount to a change of carburettor (a non-original Claudel Hobson is fitted) and the substitution of CAV electric lighting for Bleriot oil/acetylene. The 4/5-seater coachwork is all aluminium and was repainted (with coach paint) 3-4 years ago, while the sumptuous interior features beige cloth buttoned rear upholstery with fine pasting lace; bird’s eye maple marquetry to the ceiling; and railway carriage-style, drop-down side windows. Virtually all the original fittings are retained including brass flower vases; Willocq Bottin opera lamps; fluted ceiling lights; silk blinds to rear side windows and internal division; rear luggage rack; running board tool box; Toby ‘diver’s helmet’ br
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