Of all of the EU-mandated ‘safety’ features that our European readers have to endure in their vehicles, the ‘driver attention monitor’ is surely the worst.

A legal requirement for all new cars – alongside such irritants as lane-keep assist, speed limit recognition, and autonomous braking – the aforementioned monitor is kind of like that one teacher at school who had to have all sixty eyes fixed on them at all times.

Looking at the multimedia screen because everything is now in a sub-menu? ‘Driver Inattention Detected’. Looking out of the side window incase that pram turns onto the pedestrian crossing in front of you? ‘Driver Inattention Detected’. Reaching back to pick up that bloody stuffed owl that’s been dropped for the fifth time this journey? ‘Driver Inattention Detected’. Casually watching that mini-skirted pedestrian? ‘Driver Inattention Detected’.

Back in 1901 however, there were no such annoyances. In fact, thanks to one utter madman named Maxwell Mabberley-Smith, not looking at the road was actively encouraged.

This is the 1901 Sunbeam-Mabley Sociable, a motorcar with four wheels arranged in an oblique diamond, the front and rear of which steer by a tiller, the middle two of which are powered, and wherein the two occupants sit sideways to the direction of travel, facing one another.

This fabulous recreation of the madcap contraption comes from TLCB favourite Nikolaus Lowe, who has replicated the Sociable – including its unique drivetrain – brilliantly in brick. Working front/rear steering, driven middle wheels, and even functional brakes all feature, and you can find out more about this remarkable model via the link above.

But what of the real thing? Well despite 130 Sociables being sold, Mabberley-Smith’s insane configuration didn’t catch on (although Sunbeam went on to do rather more), which – considering the advent of the ‘driver attention monitor’ some 125 years later, is rather a relief…