BEAN MODEL 12 11.9 hp ROADSTER

A very rare Bean 2 Seater Roadster
Is rare what you like?

This Bean Model 12. 2 seater roadster is believed to be one of only 3 surviving examples left.

Bean - a brief history

As Bean enthusiasts will know. Bean has a big following in Australia as many where originally sold there. although the company was based in Birmingham.

Bean has a very colorful history. starting out in 1826 as an iron foundry. A Harper & Sons. Later on George Bean married the founders Granddaughter & in 1901 became the principle shareholder. The business changed names to A Harper & Sons & Bean.

During the 1st World War the company was producing ammunition shells of around 21. 00 a week. George Bean. who had already served as Mayor of Dudley on more than one occasion was given a knighthood for his services to the war effort.

After the war the company had to diversify. & along came the cars. Growing in popular demand it seemed a logical thing to do. however was short lived when the company went into receivership in 1920 brought on by the Great Recession. only to be rescued again by Sir George Bean. along with other backers.

The company went on having a chequered history. up until modern times. Reliant the maker of the Famous "Del Boy" Reliant Robin finally took down Bean the name "as they owned the company" in 1995. however another buy out by Eisenwerk Bruhl later becoming Ferrotech. a major supplier to Rover. The final end to the trail came when Rover went into administration in 2005 taking Ferrotech with them. Finally ending the trail of a company spreading almost 200 years.

This Car

In 1997 a John Turner & his wife both from Dudley. where on holiday in Australia & visited a motor museum. This Bean had been there on display for 25 years. At the time the museum was about to be broken up. John fell in love with the car & coming from his home town decided to buy it.

The car was shipped to the UK & set about a full detailed restoration. It won many awards thereafter. He later sold the car in 2003 to it's most recent owner.

Only around 80 Beans are believed to have survived in any model. This being one of 3 of this model.

Around November 2012 we sold a Bean 14 HP 4 seater tourer at the NEC motor show. in a sorry state. a non runner. which we found in a barn. Unused for many years the cars was in a very sorry state. We sold that car for just under £20. 00! Making this car look excellent value.

Today the car is still in fantastic condition. in the interior & mechanics. However could do with some minor cosmetic attention to some areas of the paintwork. We intend to carry out this work. included in the advertised price. The work will not be started until December sometime. due to current workshop pre-booked work. However a small deposit will secure. Alternatively a discount can be negotiated.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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