Commentary
Thomas Spencer, joiner and watchmaker, (known locally as “Clocky”) probably built at least two cars sometime around 1900.
The first car had decorative wooden fittings, tiller steering, a chain drive, and motorcycle spoked wheels.
His second car, built some time from 1904 onwards, was registered W94, and was fitted with a 9hp 3-cylinder Rose engine. However, over the years, the car underwent a series of major changes. Its original engine was replaced with a 4-cylinder unit, using a locally made block, and then later with a 4-cylinder JAP engine.
The car was first fitted with a tonneau body, but this was later removed and the vehicle converted to a post van. It is believed that, a number of years later, said to be around 1930, this same vehicle was given a new sports body and fitted with a fourth (more powerful) Chapious Dornier engine.
Much of this information is based on notes first drawn up by Paul Smith, kindly passed on to me by Gordon Brooks.
Further details
- Automotor Journal, Sept 10th 1904, page 1081
- Veteran and Vintage Magazine Vol. 4 No. 3. Page 422
