1913 Rover 12

With a putty body complemented with blue coach work and a blue interior, this four-seater tourer is a very quaint car dating back to the end of 1913. It is right hand drive and has a shade over 34k miles on the odometer. The car is being sold, as it was owned by the vendor’s late father. The vendor’s late father purchased this car in auction in 1962 - he didn’t go in with the intention of buying this Rover 12hp specifically, but when he saw it, he had to have it. The vendor’s late father has documented how he came to own the car and details of his ownership.

It was purchased from the Sword Collection which included 118 cars and 29 motorcycles. The auctioneers described the sale as: “the greater part of the whole historical Collection of Veteran & Vintage Cars; Veteran & Vintage Motor Cycles which belonged to the late J.C. Sword Esq”, though the V5c seems to show no prior keepers. In the words of the vendor’s late father: “It has Rotax electric lighting and charging system. Unusually it has two spare wheels which leads one to the view that it spent some time in remote areas. The logbook says colour beige with black lining but no sign of these colours could be found under the grey finish coat when we bought it”.

The vendor remembers the restoration of this car being a passion project of her late father throughout her childhood, with it being stored in a garage at his office. It took many years to bring this car to the state we find it in today, as other life commitments, namely having children, meant that his attention was directed elsewhere. The vendor’s late father completely rebuilt the car as it had a bent half shaft and pieces broken out of two piston skirts. He explained: “I can still recall the never-ending job of sanding down and painting 72 wooden wheel spokes. We had rebuilt the back axle, the engine bottom end, clutch and gearbox and were back to a rolling chassis”. All other parts were refurbished, woodworm eaten running boards were replaced, the body coach painted, reupholstered, carpeted and fitted with a new hood”.

Featuring putty bodywork with blue coach lines, this classic vintage design has a tall, boxy shape and a distinctive radiator grille at the front. The vehicle has large, spoked wheels and dainty suicide doors, giving it a nostalgic and timeless appearance. Its overall exterior exudes an air of sophistication and charm, reflecting the style and grace of early 20th-century automobiles, like the hardwood-framed windscreen and brass work, namely the horn.

The interior is sympathetically restored to complement the rest of the car. It has a fine attention detail one might expect from early 20th century motors, with features like the blue, Rover-embossed pedals. The blue leather door cards are framed with white piping. They come with magazine compartments. The door edges could do with some attention. The horn is attached to the top of the driver’s door and the seats feature a Chesterfield/button style, though some of the buttons have detached on the rear bench seat. There is some marking to the carpet at the rear, but the headlining of the retractable roof is in nice condition, which is structured with a hardwood skeleton.

This car is a non-starter. We believe that the engine has possibly seized, but we cannot be sure as it’s been in garage storage for the best part of ten years. It is equipped with a four-cylinder, 1697cc engine, which was considered quite powerful for its time. It is water-cooled and it operates on a traditional internal combustion system. The engine design features simple yet robust engineering, showcasing the craftsmanship typical of early 20th-century automotive technology.

The vendor’s late father explains: “The car went to the Yorkshire Car Museum in Batley in September 2009 and came back 4 years later. The engine had been rebuilt, fine cracks in the block were lock stitched professionally, the radiator was given a new block, and it was treated to a new windscreen. A new speedo drive was found by luck on eBay in the USA and bought in the early hours of the morning. All other parts were refurbished, woodworm eaten running boards were replaced, the body coach painted, reupholstered, carpeted and fitted with a new hood”. The car has spent the last 10 years in garage storage, so it has been kept from the weather, but the engine has possibly seized so is it doesn’t start. It comes with two MoT certificates from 2012 and 2014. The car is being sold with a certificate from The Veteran Car Club of Great Britain which details the car’s specification.

This car is utterly charming and, given its age, it is a piece of automotive history. This car is an ideal motor for someone looking for a bit of a project, as much of the work has been done though there are some mechanical kinks to iron out. This car has clearly been much loved and well looked after, as it has had a lot of money spent on it and having been part of the vendor’s family for 52 years. Pricing information is available upon request.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at BonhamsICars Online HQ, United Kingdom. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.