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Into Preservation
A total of 169 Star cars are known to survive, along
with 12 Briton cars and 1 Stuart. They are a good
representation of the company's products, including
examples from almost every year of Star's existence. The
early models are well represented, including 7 Star-Benz
cars, 11 Little Stars, and the 70hp. racing car from
1905.
Many of the cars are well-travelled, and can be found in
a number of countries including Australia and New
Zealand. This reflects Star's marketing policy. Around 25%
of the company's vehicles were exported.
The number of Stars known to exist, and
their location, is as follows:
|
Year |
Great Britain |
Australia |
New Zealand |
Elsewhere |
|
Pre-1904: Star-Benz |
5 |
1 |
- |
- |
|
1904 - 1915 |
19 |
32 |
2 |
9 |
|
1918 - 1925 |
11 |
15 |
4 |
- |
|
1926 - 1928 |
16 |
15 |
3 |
- |
|
1929 - 1932 |
26 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
77 |
64 |
10 |
10 |
Surviving Briton cars:
| |
Great Britain |
Australia |
New Zealand |
Elsewhere |
|
Total |
4 |
4 |
2 |
- |
Only one Stuart car survives. It is located in the
Isle of Man.
Star never mass-produced cars, quality always came
first. As a result only a relatively small number were
produced. It's been suggested that around 14,250 Star
cars were built during the company's lifetime.
Production peaked just before the First World War, and
in-between 1921 and 1925.
The Survivors
Vehicle rallies are essential events for anyone who’s
interested in vintage vehicles. Such rallies often
feature one or more of the surviving Star cars. A
well-organised rally can provide an interesting and
enjoyable day out for the whole family, and a chance to
meet other enthusiasts, as well as providing the
opportunity to inspect some of the vehicles that were
once part of everyday life.
The highlight of the year for vintage vehicle
enthusiasts in the West Midlands is the annual Festival of
Black Country Vehicles, that takes place on the last
Sunday in July. It started in 2002 as the Black Country
Vehicle Rally, and has become quite an attraction at the
Black Country Living Museum, Dudley. One of the
highlights is the car cavalcade, an important and unique
part of the rally in which owners are allowed to drive
their vehicles around the 26 acre site. This provides
the enthusiast with a rare opportunity to see Star cars
in action, and recapture the days of old. The rally also
includes cavalcades for motorcycles and commercial
vehicles.
Some photographs of
Star cars taken at the Black Country Living Museum: |
