Richard Brasier

Founded in 1893 Georges Richard SA of Ivry sur Seine announced their first car (a belt-driven design not unlike the Mercedes of the day) in 1897 and followed this with a smaller vehicle based on the Belgian Vivinus design. When, in 1901, Brasier joined the company they set out to make more modern cars with two or four-cylinder engines.

The new cars were of high quality. The chassis was first tubular and then pressed steel with the engine and gearbox supported by a tubular understructure. The drive from the front-mounted engine was through a leather-lined cone clutch to the gearbox via a shaft to the rear wheels on all, except for the more powerful (40hp) model which retained chain drive. When, late in 1904, Georges Richard left future production carried only the Brasier name.

Despite the short life of the marque, Richard-Brasier cars proved successful in motor sport, Leon Thery winning both the 1904 and 1905 Gordon Bennett races in 9.9-litre and 11-litre models. 
Brasier cars were manufactured until 1930 when the factory was sold to Delahaye. Georges Richard died, whilst testing a car, in 1922.

About this vehicle

We know the Richard Brasier was in Richard Shuttleworth’s possession by April 1932. A letter in the file, dated February 1955, tells us more about the car’s history. Writing to Shuttleworth’s curator of the time, L.A. Jackson, one Lt. Col. A.D. Taylor, of North Aston Manor, Oxford, says the vehicle had been owned by his father, Capt. J.V. Taylor.

Lt. Col. Taylor, says his father was, most likely, the second owner of the Brasier and used it up until 1914: “Then it sat in our garage for many years until my brother Maj. R V Taylor brought Richard Shuttleworth - who was a fellow officer - to our house, and when Mr Shuttleworth showed an interest in the car my father gave it to him”. 

Lt. Col. adds: “..after having driven the old Brasier for many years over many miles, and more modern cars up to the present time, he (Capt. Taylor, the owner) always says that modern cars have only two improvements – self-starters and windscreen wipers”.

The car completed a two-year full restoration by Shuttleworth Vehicle Collection volunteers in 2023 which involved the vehicle being completely stripped and re-built. The complex four-cylinder engine, with camshafts mounted low, either side of the crankcase, operating ignition timing and exhaust valves, proved to be a particular challenge. 

The Richard Brasier bodywork (with open front seats for the driver and, often, servant or mechanic, and a closed luxury ‘saloon’ for the passengers) is a rare example of a ‘Shelburne’ style automobile with the closed compartment opening along the centre line of the roof to give the passengers air and sunlight. Access to the rear ‘lounge’ is through a single door at the rear.

Specification