As with many earlier auto manufacturers, Thomas Jeffery started out with bicycles, which were sold under the Rambler name. He built a single-cylinder car in 1897, and the following year, his son, Charles, built two more, which were considerably more sophisticated. By 1900, the Jeffreys and their Rambler automobile were on the show circuit, flaunting a prototype at Chicago in September and at the first national auto show in New York that November.

The Jefferys, encouraged by positive press, sold out their bicycle business to Colonel Albert Pope and set about building a new factory at Kenosha, Wisconsin, where the production Rambler would begin coming off the line in February 1902. With production of 1,500 cars in its first year, the company immediately became one of the top three automobile manufacturers in America. It would make its name for quality and dependability during the Edwardian era, on both sides of the Atlantic, and would eventually evolve into the marque Nash—builder of its own namesake Rambler model.

The Rambler offered here is a 1904 Model H, powered by a 7-horsepower single-cylinder engine with right-hand drive wheeled steering and throttle control, and bearing handsome rear-entrance “detachable tonneau” coachwork, finished in rich scarlet with its original black leather upholstery, and accessorised with Badger Brass Solar headlamp and side lamps. Acquired in 2005 by previous owner Robert Hadfield from John A Lavallee of Cambridge, Vermont, its caretaker since 1973, it was subsequently exported to the United Kingdom and, having been properly VCC-dated, has since completed the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018, and 2019. It is accompanied by a history file that includes dating paperwork, other correspondence, and a copy of the V5C from prior ownership.

A high-quality veteran, of a marque respected both in the United Kingdom and its homeland, this car has abundant charm and character, and awaits a merry return to the coast-bound “Run” with four happy passengers piled aboard.