1902 M.M.C 10HP ‘Glasgow - London’ Rear Entrance Tonneau
Engine No. 2065
Chassis No. 588
VCC Dating Certificate - 171 (1949)
£POA
Following the demise of Lawson’s Great Horseless Carriage Company, M.M.C were rescued by The Motor Manufacturing Co. of 95 New Bond Street, London and continued production from The Motor Mills, Coventry. Cars ranging from 7hp - 25hp were listed for the 1902/1903 season, all essentially following the established ‘Systeme Panhard’ (Conventional Pedal Layout) and Chain Drive to the rear wheels. The 10HP car as shown here was marketed as the ‘Glasgow - London Model and was powered by a 2 Cylinder engine with atmospheric inlet valves. It was described by the ‘Financial Times’ of 1902 as ‘An extremely comfortable and well appointed car which will climb hills at good pace and give considerable speed on the level when required’. It was competitively priced at £395.
Surviving Twin Cylinders of 1902 that were built in the heart of the British Motor Industry are extremely rare and this car has an originality of museum grade quality, yet it is the story behind its discovery that is so significant.
The year was 1936, a model maker by the name of Francis Hutton-Scott was discussing his hobby and interest in early cars when another fellow model maker mentioned that he knew about an old house with the rumour of an ‘old car’ somewhere on the grounds. Without hesitation Francis located the house and was taken into the cellar, where he was confronted with a wall of books, a library of sorts. The housekeeper explained that she was told by the late owner of the house that there was an ‘Ancient car’ buried behind the wall. Several hundred volumes later, Francis had succeeded in unearthing a headlamp and a front wheel, that was enough and a purchase was negotiated. The car had supposedly been laid up in this space since 1910 and this was confirmed by its exceptional originality and apparent lack of use. Removing the car was another story entirely as at somepoint throughout the years a joining wall had been built across the entrance to the cellar which had to be demolished before the car could be extracted. Upon reaching daylight it became clear that the vehicle was an M.M.C of the year 1902, 10HP with rear entrance tonneau, it was registered F89. The car was complete with original coachwork, upholstery and set of nickel lamps.
The car was next sold in 1949 to a Mr J.E. Ford of Leicester, joining an early Benz and a Lanchester in his collection. Mr Ford kept the car until 1970 where it changed hands to another prominent VCC member. The car was next sold in 1998 where it was then kept in ownership until 2025. Remarkably it appears that the vehicle could have had as little as 5 owners from new, plenty of research to be done for a new custodian to confirm this.
In recent years the M.M.C has been maintained with no expense spared, with work to the Engine, Gearbox and Rear Axle along with the fitment of an electric starter motor (removeable without trace), whilst preserving its time warp appearance. The car was recomissioned by NP Veteran Engineering in July 2025 and drives well with a good turn of pace and nice responsive handling.
Relics like this cease to exist in the modern world and this example is a true rarity that carries original coachwork, upholstery and mechanical specification. Boasting 5 seats and electric starting this 1902 early starting British car is truly unique and would be the crown of any collection.
