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Take-Over
By 1928 with production still
falling, Star found itself in a precarious financial
state. As a result Guy Motors took control through an
exchange of shares, though Star continued in existence
as a separate company, now called The Star Motor Company
Limited. The range of models was reduced to the 18/50
and the 20/60, with the occasional 24/70. A selection of coach built and fabric
bodies was available, the latter being produced by Mulliners and
L. & L. J. Taylor.
Around 1920 Star had purchased a
piece of land in Showell Lane, Bushbury, Wolverhampton
on which to build a new factory. It was occupied by the
body shop. All other production work was carried out in
a number of factories in the Frederick Street area. |
|
David Woodburn's 12/40hp.1928 Star Pegasus |
One of the first major changes at the Guy/Star
company took place in 1929 with the closure and sale of
the Frederick Street site, and Star’s move to the
Showell Lane works.
Cars could now be built under one roof, but the
workforce was reduced to around 250, and Guy dropped
some of Star’s heavier commercial vehicles, that were in
direct competition with its own products. |
Don Evans' 18/50hp. 1929 Star Saloon.
Clive Knowles' 18/50hp. 1929 Star Luna.
| Under Guy, Star cars retained their quality build
and high levels of workmanship, but they were far too
expensive for most people.
1930 saw the introduction of the ‘Comet’, ‘Planet’
and ‘Jason’ series.
Around 214 cars were produced that year, the most
popular being the 18/50hp. ‘Jason’, selling for £595.
|
The Bushbury factory. |
| The ‘Comet’ coupé, powered by a 17.9hp.
six-cylinder, overhead-valve engine, sold for £495, and
the 20.9hp. ‘Planet’ Saloon Limousine sold for £695.
Other models included a ‘Comet’ open two-seater tourer,
and a ‘Comet’ open five-seater tourer. |
 |
From the 1930 Star catalogue. |
|
From the 1930 Star catalogue. |
| From the 1930 Star catalogue. |
 |
 |
From the 1930 Star catalogue. |
|
Two fabric-bodied models were
available in 1931, each powered by a six-cylinder,
2,470c.c. 17.9hp. engine, with a four speed and reverse
gearbox.
Both models, the 'Four-Light Saloon'
and the 'Six-Light Saloon' sold for £445. The same year
saw the introduction of another new model,
the 'Little Comet Fourteen'.
Unfortunately a small loss was made
on the sale of every vehicle. At the time, Guy Motors was
also in
financial difficulties due to the recession, and so
couldn't afford to equip the new Bushbury factory with up-to-date machinery.
Star found itself in a desperate situation,
and as a result a Receiver was appointed in March 1932.
Possibly the last car to leave the factory
was the 14hp. ‘Comet’ chassis,
purchased by Michael McEvoy and fitted with a Jensen
body and Zoller supercharger.
The car is now known as the Star
‘McEvoy Special’. |
An advert from 1930. |
A Star 'Jason'.
A Star 'Norma'.
 |
M. Elder's 14hp. 'McEvoy Special' fitted with
a Jensen two seater sports
body.
Used for development of the Zoller supercharger
and later believed to have been raced at Donnington. |
| From the 1932 Star catalogue.
The 'Big Comet Twenty-One',
powered by a 20.9hp. 6-cylinder Star engine was
available as a coupé
or saloon and sold for £525. |
 |
 |
From the 1932 Star catalogue. |
| The front cover of
one of Star's last catalogues. |
 |
 |
A side view of a
'Comet Fourteen' from a Star catalogue. |
The Little 'Comet Fourteen'.
| Spares and manufacturing rights were obtained by
McKenzie and Denley, of Birmingham, who continued
selling spares and servicing Stars into the 1960s. The
Frederick Street works were sold to James Gibbons
(Windows) Limited, and later to Chadd Castings Limited,
who cast aluminium components for a variety of uses,
including vehicle parts for companies such as Rolls
Royce, Leyland DAF, Rover and Land Rover. Although the
name Chadd still appears on the premises, they are no
longer there. The Bushbury factory was sold to Manley &
Regulus, makers of plumbing fittings, and later acquired
by Delta Metals. The two posters below were produced to
advertise the sale. |
| D. L. Elder's 1932 Comet.
Courtesy of
Peter Lisle. |
 |
 |
Ray Chivers' 1930 Star Comet.
Seen at the Black Country Living Museum,
Dudley.
|
| Brian Rollings at the wheel of
the only surviving 4-door Star 'Jason'.
At the Black Country Living
Museum, Dudley. |
 |
 |
The 1931 Star 'Comet' that is
in the collection at the Black Country Living Museum,
Dudley. |
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Return to
The
Later Years |
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Return to the
Contents |
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Proceed to The
Racing Years |
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