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Mystery Aster four pot. (Upd.: over 130(!) marques used Aster engines at a certain point)

Alex Brown from New Zealand sends photos of this most interesting four cylinder plus nondescript chassis owned by a friend.
We asked him to provide measurements of the engine, but we understand that this is not possible at this point. You should know that we do ask these things because it makes identification far more likely. Especially as he asked already at various other forums (AACA etc.) without result. Also we do ask these questions to make the thresshold a bit higher to those who have seen an advert somewhere and just want to tap on our and your knowledge in order to make a fast buck. That may not be the case here, but we must urge anybody who is asking for an ID to come up with good measurements. This to save time to everybody.

UPDATE IV: by Bart Oosterling: From 1900 Aster Engines were also made in GB (Aster engineerding Co Ltd Wembley Middlesex); Together with their French counterpart they claimed in 1912 that they catered for over 130 vehicle makes. From 1927 they were absorbed in Arrol Johnston & Aster Eng, Dumfries Scotland GB. The last Aster engines were made in 1930 by Meadows.
Source: Shire album "proprietary Engines for Vehicles" (Nick Baldwin).
From 1900-1904 the GB-Asters were used in the makes Carlton, Highgate, Holdsworth, John o' Gaunt, Knight of the road, Princeps, Ryley, Stonebow, Tyne - and more.

UPDATE III: by C. Gillingham: There were also a few British makes that used Aster engines; early Singers, Swifts and I think Merryweather fire engines.

UPDATE II by Fons Alkemade:I have 44 French makes which at one time used an Aster engine in one of their models. Of these the following existed around 1907 (but I don't know whether they used the Aster engines at that period): "Bolide, Vinot-Deguingand, Crespelle, Gladiator, Prunel, Barré, Boyer, Buat, Chameroy, Dupressoir, Hurtu, L'Automotrice (Radia), La Torpille, Lambert, Legros, Passy-Thellier, Vauzelle-Morel, Pierron, Reyrol."

UPDATE I : We now understand the Aster 43JS was actually introduced 1904/5 but the '2' gives the impression this has to be later. Note though, not listed in the 1908/9 advert ( + photo of engine nr.) , but then their ranges of engines was extensive. Incidentally, the letters are an Aster 'code', J = 84mm cylinder bore, S = separate cylinders, which this engine has. Bore & stroke: 84mm by 110mm; 2438cc.

Anyway Alex Brown's presumption is that this is an Aster engine (St.Denis, France 1900-1910) and he provides the following numbers type 431SZ(?) , Serial 11803. Finally he has reason to believe this is a 12/14 hp engine. About the driveshaft (sure no chain!) chassis he has no further information. Can you help?

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Comments

#5 2011-06-07 17:26

From 1900 Aster Engines were also made in GB (Aster engineerding Co Ltd Wembley Middlesex); Together with their French counterpart they claimed in 1912 that they catered for over 130 vehicle makes. From 1927 they were absorbed in Arrol Johnston & Aster Eng, Dumfries Scotland GB. The last Aster engines were made in 1930 by Meadows.
Source: Shire album "proprietary Engines for Vehicles" (Nick Baldwin).
From 1900-1904 the GB-Asters were used in the makes Carlton, Highgate, Holdsworth, John o' Gaunt, Knight of the road, Princeps, Ryley, Stonebow, Tyne - and more.

#4 C.Gillingham 2011-06-07 16:31

There were also a few British makes that used Aster engines; early Singers, Swifts and I think Merryweather fire engines.

#3 2011-06-07 13:41

I have 44 French makes which at one time used an Aster engine in one of their models. Of these the following existed around 1907 (but I don't know whether they used the Aster engines at that period):
Bolide, Vinot-Deguingand, Crespelle, Gladiator, Prunel, Barré, Boyer, Buat, Chameroy, Dupressoir, Hurtu, L'Automotrice (Radia), La Torpille, Lambert, Legros, Passy-Thellier, Vauzelle-Morel, Pierron, Reyrol.

#2 2011-06-07 09:48

How can identifying an engine that is unknown have anything to do with making a quick buck? There are plenty of people on this web site who are making a 'quick buck'. But thankfully this is declining due to the poor economic climate in Europe and more savvy purchasers.
Not so many cars are leaving Australia and New Zealand any more. I am sure and hope the wheelers and dealers are dwindling.

#1 2011-06-07 03:26

Dear readers,

I can assure you I am not making any money from this post. It is not my engine and neither would I be selling it if it was. It is to satisfy my own curiosity only. I am a young person looking to learn what they can about the wonderful veteran era cars and parts that are still aorund and I hope to find myself my own early veteran project one day.

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