Spencer
An early car, built by a Nottinghamshire watchmaker.
Location
Possibly Station Road, Misterton.
Date
c1900
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
Possibly, Station Road, Misterton.
An early car, built by a Nottinghamshire watchmaker.