BBC - A History of the World - Object : Bremer Car

Bremer Car

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Frederick William Bremer (b.1872) built Britain's first car with an internal combustion engine. The son of a German immigrant, he lived in Walthamstow and put the car together in a workshop behind the family's home on Connaught Road. Variously described as an electrician, engineer and bicycle maker, Bremer built the car for personal pleasure rather than commercial profit. It was first driven in 1892, preceded down the road by a red flag. In 1912 the car was displayed at the Motor Museum. When this closed at the end of World War I, Bremer considered sending it for scrap. Fortunately it found a new home when Vestry House Museum opened in 1933. Further adventures awaited the car when, after extensive restoration, it completed the veteran car race from London to Brighton in the 1960s. The total journey took 7 hours and 55 minutes! This historic photograph was taken c.1912 and shows Frederick Bremer seated in the middle. The car itself is on permanent display at Vestry House Museum, Walthamstow.

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