Brief History of the Marque: Corgi
Made in England 1942-1948
Excelsior built the Welbike for the British
armed forces to be used by air commandos and paratroopers. Powered by a
98cc Villiers Sprite two-stroke engine the scooter had 12.5 inch wheels
and a folding control column, and was extremely compact, having been designed
to fit inside a cylinder of only 15 inches diameter. Weighing in at a mere
70 pounds, they had a range of 90 miles and could achieve 30mph.
The Welbike gained its original name from a secret SOE establishment
in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, which was also responsible for the Welsub and
the Welrod pistol. Developments of this cute but deadly little weapon are
still in use by special forces to this day.
Brockhouse Engineering of Southport built the Welbike-inspired Corgi.
These were exported to the United States from 1947 to 1954 where they were
sold by a department store (possibly Sears), and were also rebadged as
the Indian Papoose. At this time the Indian marque was owned by Brockhouse.
One of these diminutive machines was ridden across the American continent.
They were also used by the US Air Force during the Korean War for use by
maintenance personnel, and were often kept aboard aircraft for use in moving
around the bases.
The Corgi was reputedly named in honour of the
low-slung dogs so favoured by the English monarchy.
Corgis were also available with sidecars built by Brockhouse, KVP, Feridax
and Vodac.
There is a book on the marque by Peter Miller: From Welbike to Corgi
ISBN 0 9530683 07
Further information:
Welbike
at the Wikipedia
http://www.alliedspecialforces.org/soewelbike.htm
http://bcoy1cpb.pacdat.net/welbike.htm
Mon Dec 31 2007
corgi
excelcior mk 2
can you help with getting spares ???
phone number 01327 876323
uk
Mon Sep 24 2007
stevesampson1964<at>hotmail.co.uk (bounced)
Corgi Motorcycle tank
My father owns a Corgi parachutists bike and is looking an original
petrol tank as the one that came with it is not the correct shape. He also
wants an exhaust pipe.Any ideas where he might get one from would be much
appreciated.
Bedford UK
Wed Oct 17 2007
RAYMOND.FIELD<at>LYCOS.CO.UK
CORGI M/CYCLE SCOOTER
CORGI
HAVE A HARRINGTON MODEL COACH I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE WHEELS ARE OF A
CORGI I NEED 2/4 ALSO TYRES AND SIZE ITS
GOT DUNLOP 4 PLY 12X2 CAN I STILL GET THEM THANK YOU ALL FOR
ANY HELP INFO
CT6 KENT
Fri Jun 22 2007
dwiese<at>telusplanet.net
serial number location
M 1
where is the sn located on the engine? i have found the sn of
the frame #2645.
thanks.
westlock, alberta, canada
.........
It's a 1948 Corgi. 100 cc. If it would help, I can send a pic. British
paratroopers used them.
.........
Pics of '48 Corgi with 24 inch long level as reference to size. Tires
are Dunlop 12 1/2 X 12 1/4. Fits G.I.J. rim 8 inches diameter.
Thanks,
Dan
Sun Jan 14 2007
dahlberg
xnet.co.nz
corgi motorcycle
Excelsior Spryt MK2
I have been given a Corgi motorcycle. I believe it is a 1952
model, 98cc with 2 speed gearbox. The numbers on the motor are "Excelsior
Spryt MK 2, W27041". There is also a stamp on the frame by the handlebars
that says "1925 M&B. 17749".
Could you please tell me the significance of these numbers, and direct
me where I could get more information to enable me to restore this to it's
original condition. Many thanks. Dawn
New Zealand
....
I have attached 4 photos for you to look at. Any information
you can give
will be greatly appreciated.
Sat Dec 02 2006
indian.bobns.sympatico.ca
Brockhouse corgi parts and info reqd
corgi
i have recently purchased a corgi with the serial # 1812. The engine
is a mk1 spryte, and the wheels are spoked. Could anyone tell me what year
it is? I am also looking for a petrol tank and cap, and a good set of handlebars,
and any information of obtainable tires for the bike.
Thanks in advance
Canada
...............
I do not have any pictures at this time as the bike came to me in boxes.
I can tell you that the bike has spoked wheels, no lights front or back,
the engine is marked Mk1 on the plate, and stamped"spryte" on the Aluminum
housing. It has a number plate attached to the handlebars, and a strap
welded across the front frame tubes that something was attached to, but
I do not know what. The serial # on the frame is 1812.
Are there any signifying marks that would help you further?
Thanks in advance
Bob
Fri Nov 10 2006
jcfernandez04bellsouth.net
1940's-- 1950's Brockhouse "SPRY 1 (t)
SPRY 1
Sheldon,
I recently inherited a small engine after the purchase of my home that
belonged to a Corgi Motorcycle. I know this for sure because the original
owner, a WW2 veteran told me so. He himself brought it over.
I would like to find a buyer, I myself have no use for this. It is just
the engine, and is in good shape.
Can you direct me to someone who needs one of these? I am located in
Orlando, Florida.I was able to locate one individual in the UK, but the
advert company is not set up to take responses outside of the UK. On the
side it is stamped SPRY1, and on the other side it has a small stamp that
indetifies it Brockhouse, Made in England, petrol.
Can you offer any directions on what to do with this?
Thank you,
John C. Fernandez
Florida
The Publications
section of Bikelinks lists auctions, classifieds and magazines. I'm
sure you'll find what you need there. Ed.
Tue Aug 29 2006
seaforth72gmail
Welbike
Excelsior Welbike/Brockhouse Corgi
I believe that you will find that Excelsior made the Welbike and that
Brockhouse made the Corgi. The Corgi was developed from the Welbike concept
but was a different vehicle and was made by a different manufacturer. I
own Welbike Mark II SN 1253. I have reprints of some of the original manuals,
original Corgi literature etc. http://bcoy1cpb.pacdat.net/welbike.htm
Mission, BC, CANADA
English
If you have a query about Corgi Motorcycles, or wish to share some information
about these classic British machines, please contact
us!
