Colour: Claret/black Cylinders: 4; 4,398cc Gears: 4 + reverse Marius Berliet commenced motor car production at Lyons as early as 1895, building production modestly initially but establishing a reputation as a high quality manufacturer soon after the turn of the century with large Mercedes-like motor cars - perhaps the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of France at the time, surpassing even Panhard-Levassor.

By the 1920s Berliet had adapted to a changing market, producing a range of less grandiose models until 1939 when private car production ceased, the firm concentrating on commercial vehicles thereafter.

This splendid Berliet Enclosed Limousine is believed to be one of the four cars (plus a solitary chassis) exhibited at the 1912 London Motor Show by the UK importer, Berliet Motors, of Sackville Street, London W1, three of which were 20/25hp models.

Berliet’s 20/25hp L14 model (also referred to as the ‘22hp’) was powered by a four-cylinder monobloc sidevalve engine displacing 4,398cc, which drove via...