Beschreibung
We are delighted to be able to offer the possibly unique opportunity to acquire our highly collectible 1929 manufactured (1930 registered) Star Flyer VB-4 flat bed lorry. It is believed, although we can’t verify the fact, that there may only be 3 remaining examples of this truck in existence. These were manufactured by Star Motors (formerly Star Engineering prior to takeover by Guy Motors) from 1927 - 1932 only. At this point Star Motors ceased to exist. These featured very advanced engineering for the time featuring Star’s own 3620cc OHV petrol engine, 4 speed non synchro gearbox and vacuum assisted brakes. These vehicles could comfortably exceed
50 mph which was very quick in period and it is surmised that’s where the name Flyer originated!
Our Star Flyer was manufactured in late 1929 and sent to Vincent of Reading a renowned coach builder that supplied vehicles to the Prince of Wales. There it was fitted with a horse box type body and delivered new to a Major J. F. Harrison of Hitchen Herts in June 1930. Subsequently, in the 1960s it came into the possession of the renowned Jack Mulley of Mulley’s Motorways Ipswich. At this point, it had apparently only covered 56000 miles and was still running. However, the original Vincent horse box body had fallen into disrepair. Jack undertook a very thorough restoration of the vehicle but decided to replace the body with a 14ft drop sided flat bed body that was commissioned specially for him by Collier & Son of Maldon Essex. It survives to this day in this guise.
This is possibly the most well known example of this rarity. It has featured in two episodes of BBC sitcom Dad’s Army namely ‘Time on My Hands’ and Brain vs Brawn’. Additionally an extensive article was written about it in the May 1967 edition of Old Motor in which it also featured on the front cover emblazoned with Jack Mulley livery. There is also a centre spread in issue 416 of Classic Car Buyer from 2018 showing a period photo of Jack and the truck apparently being stopped by the police. An appeal was made regarding the whereabouts of the vehicle. Well they’ve got their answer - Right here!We have owned the Star Flyer for 33 years and it has been part of the family collection. It was used extensively in the 1990s and was exhibited at numerous shows also completing a number of trans Pennine runs. For the last approximately 20 years it has been kept in dry secure storage and was repainted shortly prior to this. Although not in use it was started periodically and checked for levels, topped up and generally looked after.
Following a recent family bereavement we have decided that it is now time for our Star Flyer to emerge from its cocoon and find a new owner who will appreciate it, drive it and hopefully show it regularly. Initially we have changed the oil, rigged up a temporary fuel supply, generally checked it over and driven it 10 miles (without incident) from its place of storage to our premises. We would advise that prior to significant use it will need a little recommissioning focusing on the fuel system, brakes and tyres which although superficially appearing in good order are nevertheless 20 plus years old. We are very unsure how to value this item due to its rarity but feel that £19950 is a fair starting point for negotiation. After all this is a running driving example that has had an older restoration and still is in very good order with the correct original parts all present and correct.
If you have any questions or require additional information please don’t hesitate to message us or call on the details below and ask for Will. This item is available for collection from our South Shropshire premises.
