Thought Tourette had Knott front bits. Or is this a problem related to none original cars confusing folk? I mean all real Peels had Citroen seats, didn't they. Ho hum.
Anyway the principle is some cars did not arrive on these shores in a driving condition, ducking a taxation band. Importers, trade contractors or dealers had to assemble the final parts from the kit into a car. It sounds like Carr Brothers were precisely the sort of firm to do this, even as a contractor, as they had ideas beyond flogging a few cars.
The legal situation still exists today, as far as I know. If you sell a complete running car with certain items removed to be fitted by the buyer, or his agent, you are not responsible for the ongoing condition of that car. I knew two traders who did this after attempts of being sued over issues they claimed was not their fault. There was a period when traders were targeted for stings to get easy money on ill considered new legislation by the criminal element. Clearly they were not tending to sell to the general public, thou they would, and they offered some very good bargains. This was the same bit of legislation but without the tax implication.
So assembling these kits of bits was not the gravy train it looked like, as clever contracting meant the original manufacturer off loaded much of his liability and risk, while still controlling the marketing and gaining a favorable market price reduction. A minor sort of franchising.
