1902 Arrol-Johnston 10/12HP Twin-Cylinder Dogcart | Bonhams | 30 Oct 2026

• Registration no. XXS711
• Chassis no. 281

•The second car to be registered in Paisley, Scotland

•Known to have entered one London-to-Brighton Run in the late 1990s

•One of only eight believed to survive

•Highly original

•Recently subject to partial recommissioning

Produced by the Mo-Car Syndicate Ltd of Glasgow, Arrol-Johnston took its name from financial backer Sir William Arrol (builder of the Forth Railway Bridge) and its designer George Johnston, a locomotive engineer. According to The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile: "Johnston's car was an unusual design, with an opposed-piston flat-twin engine. The connecting rod of one piston worked directly on the crankshaft, while the other acted through a rocking lever. The gearbox was driven by chain, with another single chain taking power to the rear axle. The dogcart-type body seated six passengers in three rows, with the driver in the second row." This original design, being of heavy and robust construction with high ground-clearance and solid tyres, was very well suited to the Scottish roads of the period and carried on with little modification until 1906, by which time it looked distinctly dated. Arrol-Johnston survived a succession of reorganisations and changes of trading name, and built its last car in 1931.

The second car to be registered in Paisley, this wonderfully original 1902 Dogcart is believed to have been sold new to Sir Thomas Coats, a member of the family that owned the local spinning mill known as the Ferguslie Thread Works. There is little other early history known, though apparently the Arrol-Johnston was taken to the Isle of Bute and placed in storage in 1919. It was discovered there in 1942 by prominent Veteran-car enthusiast Tom Lightfoot while he was serving with the Royal Navy. It is understood that Tom bought the car from the Bute Ship Dock Company. Documents on file list Norman Cole as owner circa 1962; Norman Ball circa 1970; and the late Geoffrey Plaisters from 1998.

This Arrol-Johnston dogcart is known to have entered one London-to-Brighton Run in the late 1990s, as well as the Glasgow-Paisley-Dumfries Arrol-Johnston Commemoration Run in 2002. Out of use for some time following Mr Plaister's death, the car was recently loaned to the Great British Car Journey museum in Ambergate, Derbyshire where it was partially recommissioned. Although 281 is running, further attention may be required before the car is fully roadworthy and thus it is sold strictly as viewed. Of the surviving dogcarts, two are regular and reliable Brighton Run participants, while another two are preserved in British museums.

Accompanying documentation includes various technical papers; a copy of the 1902 Arrol-Johnston sales catalogue; various historic photographs; and assorted correspondence and paperwork relating to previous ownerships. An exciting opportunity to revive a rare and unusual Veteran motor car.