With a squeak and a shudder one of the world's most original cars has moved under its own power for the first time in 106 years.

Incredibly, the 1895 Armstrong was not driven, or even started, for the entire 20th Century.

Now in Sussex after being shipped over from the United States, the extraordinary vehicle is being restored to its former glory.

There was a smile of satisfaction from its new owner Robin Loder when the vehicle moved just 20 yards - its first journey since 1896.

Mr Loder is a leading veteran car fanatic who regularly takes part in the London to Brighton veteran car run and this latest addition to his collection is a coup.

His Armstrong is the only one of its type and one of the first automatic cars to be made.

Unlike other vehicles from its period, it has an electric starter as opposed to a starting handle, an automatic clutch and a 6.5l engine.

The car was made by the Armstrong Tool and Die Company, based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1895.

In Britain at that time it was only legal to drive a motor vehicle on roads if it was proceeded by a man carrying a red flag.

Mr Loder, who owns and manages Leonardslee Gardens, near Horsham, said: "This car was years ahead of its time.

"It was previously believed that electric starting and lighting did not come into use before 1920 and automatic ignition timing and automatic clutches had not been used before the Twenties.

"This vehicle will cause historians to rewrite the early pages of motoring history."

The car last ran when it took part and crashed in a race in 1896.

It remained in mothballs for years, rusting away in America.

Then a collector contacted Mr Loder to say it was available.

He is now delighted his renovation programme is bearing fruit.

He said: "When I got it it was just a heap of rust.

"To get it to move via its own starting mechanism is fantastic.

"The car has its own dynamo that keeps the electrics going once it is running.

"It will take a lot of work to restore it during the next couple of years but we are getting there."

If the renovation goes well, Mr Loder said he would consider entering the vehicle for the London to Brighton run.