John Davenport Siddeley, later Lord Kenilworth, came from prosperous northern stock – his father was a hosier in the North West – and enjoys the unique distinction of being the first person to ride a bicycle of his own construction from Lands End to John O’Groats. His cycling interests lead naturally to motor cars, following time served with both Humber and Rover in the cycle industry. After a brief spell with Dunlop Tires, in the infancy of pneumatic tires, he was appointed British agent for Peugeot and was soon to establish the Siddeley Autocar Company in Coventry, building his own cars which were a blatant crib on the Peugeot models. As a businessman Siddeley was ruthless but a highly talented and able negotiator and engineer who later went on to greater things with Vickers Ltd (Wolseley and Wolseley-Siddeley), the Deasy Motor Co. (Deasy J D S and Siddeley-Deasy), Sir W G Armstrong-Whitworth Ltd (Armstrong-Whitworth and later Armstrong-Siddeley cars), the A V Roe aircraft co. and briefly with Hawker-Siddeley. The humble but effective single-cylinder Siddeley of 1904 was but the first chapter in a fascinating and brilliant compendium.

This remarkable car first came into the vendor’s family in 1934. It was delivered new to King & Sons of Bournemouth on 15th November 1904 and first registered with the Bournemouth County Borough Council Registration Authority in March 1905, when it was delivered to a Dr. Davidson for use in his medical practice. The car remained in use until 1917, including the early years of the war and during these 13 years had six recorded owners. It is believed that it was then laid up from 1917 through to 1934 when it was discovered by pioneer veteran car enthusiast, R G J Nash, at a coal dump at Honiton in Devon and rescued for preservation. It was then purchased that year by Mr M J P Estler for £35 and recommissioned for the road. It remained in his ownership until 1965 at which time it passed into the ownership of the Mr G Estler, M J P’s nephew. It took part in a race for veteran cars at Brooklands circuit in 1939, one of two handicap races, the first being won by E A Marshall’s 1901 Ariel Tricycle at a speed of 22.79mph and the second won by F W Hutton-Stott’s 1902 Wolseley at a speed of 18.62mph. The Siddeley is believed to have finished but did not distinguish itself.

V169 was actively campaigned in Veteran Car Club events, including several epic long distance drives, and has regularly participated in and completed the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. The current vendor acquired the car in November 2006 and was subsequently displayed at the 2007 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The car is smartly presented in navy blue livery with fine yellow coachlining and is equipped with brass Lucas King of the Road paraffin oil lamps, double-twist bulb horn and rear view mirror. It is upholstered in black leather. A conventional and easy car to drive in all respects, it is equipped with a three forward speed and reverse speed gearbox with final drive by chain to the rear axle.

V169 is exceptionally well-known in veteran car circles and was one of the earliest cars to be dated by the Veteran Car Club, being allocated Certificate no.149. Offered with Swansea registration document, current licence and MoT certificate, a Veteran Car Club Dating Certificate and US importation paperwork.