In this episode we revisit the fascinating car collection of Simon Thomas, as he shows us his remarkable 122-year-old Edwardian era, 8 hp, single-cylinder M.M.C. (Motor Manufacturing Company), car built by the company formerly known as the “Great Horseless Carriage Company.” This early motorcar boasts a chain drive, coil ignition, three forward speeds and one reverse, operated through a leather clutch. It runs on a total-loss lubrication system, and in a discreet nod to modern convenience, it has been fitted with a Volkswagen starter motor.
MOTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY
MMC, short for the Motor Manufacturing Company, began life as the Great Horseless Carriage Company, founded in Coventry, England in 1897. The firm survived for just eleven years, ceasing production in 1908. Today, it is thought that only eleven MMC vehicles remain in existence. We were privileged to see one of these rare and elegant cars, owned by respected MMC authority Simon Thomas.
MMC ENGINE
The car is fitted with an original MMC engine and a British Zenith carburettor in place of the French component, a trembler coil ignition and has a total loss lubrication system. A series of five oilers are dashboard-mounted, one for the front of the crankcase, one for the back of the crankcase, and then one each for the chains that drive the rear wheels.
The clutch is a leather clutch and there are three forward speeds and one reverse. According to Simon the drivers controls are what would be considered a very modern layout for 1903.
The clutch and throttle are located on the steering column which as Simon says is “an acquired taste” the levers to control the engine are the choke cable and the advance and retard for the ignition which is how the car is driven. A handbrake and footbrake are connected to the rear wheels.
MODERN ELECTRIC STARTER
To allow for ease of use, particularly in traffic, Simon had a VW starter motor fitted. As Simon recounted; “the advantage of the electric starter is if you stall at traffic lights, you still have to get out of the car and prime the carburettor again, but you don’t have to wind the starting handle.”
M.M.C. KIT CAR
When Simon’s MMC was built and as was the case with earlier cars they used a lot of French components – the radiator and chassis frame are French. MMC provided the engine, gearbox and steering box and the remainder of the parts were mostly French. According to Simon, “you could say it is a kit car”.
The 122 year old car still has its original wooden mudguards and wooden bodywork.
DRIVING
According to Simon it generally takes 2 – 3 miles before you get used to the steering, gearbox and centre throttle and looking down the road is really important for hills, either going up or down to drive the car safely. The M.M.C. will cruise at a heady 18 – 20 mph!
ORIGINAL OWNER OF MMC IA 98
The 1903 MMC, registration IA 98, began its journey in the hands of William Pearson Dickie, from Templepatrick, County Antrim. There was no wear and tear on the car as he didn’t use it very much.
Desmond Montgomery discovered the car in a scrapyard in 1936 and restored it to running condition the following year. From then until 1960, he drove it in countless vintage car rallies.
Simon has known all the previous owners of the cars as far back as 1936, as follows: “when Desmond Montgomery found the car, Simon’s father knew him and Simon knew him.
Desmond sold the car to Ronnie Jennings who was a friend of Simon’s fathers and later a friend of Simon. Ronnie sold the car to Malcom Templeton, a friend of Simon’s parents and later a friend of Simon’s. Malcom sold the car to Tommy Reid, who raced Lotus and Brabham cars and who was also a friend of Simon’s parents and of Simon himself.
In 2013 the car was acquired by Simon Thomas who can proudly say, “I’ve known all the owners since 1936.”
