Car : Peerless 24 HP
Year : 1904
Engine : 4 cylinders in line
Bore and stroke :108×102 mm
Cylinder capacity : 3736 cc
Gears : 4 forward
Brake horse power : 25
Maximum speed : 50 mph
Wheelbase : 8 ft 8 ins ( 2.64 m)
Suspension : front and back :semi-elliptic leaf- springs
Founded in 1870, Peerless made its name in various spheres before turning to cars. It started with mangles for wringing out washing, then went on to produce bicycles and, in 1900, cars.
The first cars to be produced by Peerless, which were not overly successful, had single-cylinder engines; these became twin-cylinder with shaft transmission; and from 1903, a 4-cylinder engine was used. The 24 HP was the first car to have a 4-cylinder engine; it had a T-head and honeycomb radiator. The following year the company introduced a model with a similar design of 4-cylinder engine, but with a cylinder capacity of 6000 cc and limousine bodywork. That same year one of these took part in the New York-St Louis race, making it, so it is claimed, the first limousine to participate in a rally. First 6- and the V8-cylinder engines were developed, but the bodywork kept its austere elegance–which, whilst it was liked by the regular customers, did not win it new enthusiasts. The prestige model was a luxurious 16-cylinder car. It was introduced , however, in the middle of the slump, when the situation hardly augured well for such a model, beautifully designed and built as it was. In 1931, the firm’s premises were bought by Carling Brewery.