Notes on some of the rarer British marques
This page lists brands for which we currently have only an historical precis.
For a more complete listing visit the British Index.
A.F. Cars
The first of these Morgan-style three-wheelers were created by Alexander Fraser in 1969 "in his kitchen" Based on a BMC mini chassis, production models were powered by BMC engines of 850cc to 1275cc some of which were fitted with a Shorocks supercharger and were capable of 140mph. They had a wooden body. Production ended in 1980, with some 7 Spiders and 5 Grand Prix models built.
Source: 3-wheelers.com.
Aleywood
Manufactured by Mike Wood and John Aley, 63 Ditton Walk, Cambridge, mid to late sixties.
This was a minibike sold as kit which weighed 65lb assembled. It was powered by a Clinton two-stroke industrial pull-start engine. Several hundred were built.
Source: http://www.icenicam.org.uk/articles4/art0069.html
Allen-Bennett 1922-24
Apex Sidecars
Manufactured in 1939
1, Crownstone Rd., Water Lane, Brixton, S.W.2.
Source: Period Advertising
Armac Cub
Classic trials machines based on the Triumph Cub, these were originally built by Duncan McDonald. Components are manufactured by R.E.H Forks Ltd of Yorkshire, armac-design.com.
Aspin
Aspin rotary valve engines were built by Frank Aspin in Lancashire, beginning in 1937. A 250cc version would rev to 14,000 rpm, but sadly it was plagued by heating problems and before a solution could be found, war came.
The engine was apparently used in speedway, as mentioned here. It was developed along similar lines to the Cross engine.
Sources: aspin.info, douglas-self.com, oldbikemag.com.au, patents.google.com/patent/US2245743A/en
Austel
Manufactured by Austel Engineering of Maidenhead, Berkshire, 1985-1991
Chris Castell fitted Morris Mini engines to motorcycles designed for solo and sidecar use. Some 11 machines were built, no two the same. As combinations they were probably brilliant. Aesthetically not so much.
Sources: london-motorcycle-museum.org, wikipedia.en
Automobilette 1900
A. V. Motors 1902-1903
Avon Tri-mobile Bristol, 1905
Ayrton-Perry Tricycle
"The first electric tricycle was built by British engineers William Ayrton and John Perry in 1881. It was first driven on Queen Victoria Street in London in 1882.
This image is probably from La Nature ; Poyet was one of its artists."
Source: Dave Richmond - facebook.com/dave.richmond.900
Baddeley
Manufactured in Glasgow by Lionel Ashley Baddeley (1879-1953)
A report reads:
1907 Auto-Cycle Club 24-hours Run - London-Plymouth-London
Held 26th July 1907. Friday-Saturday. London-Plymouth-London - 423 miles.
L. A. Baddeley, 3 h.p. Baddeley; (Gold Medal)
Bamby 1983-1985
Barko
Built by Arthur Barker, the 1915 Barko is quite similar to the 1915 Calthorpe Junior.
Source: Graeme Robert Wilson
Berkeley Microcars 1956-1960
Blackjack 1996-2024
Blacknell
Manufactured by Blacknell Sidecars Ltd of 9 Derby Rd Nottingham, UK in the 1950s.
Models include the Carrington 2-seater and the Gran Strada.
Border Bandit
Built by Rob North and a partner in the early 1970s, possibly in California.
B.R.A. (Beribo)
Formerly Beribo Replica Automobiles, the firm has undergone a number of ownership and name changes. Models include a variety of Morgan-style three-wheelers powered by Honda CX500 and CX650 V-twins and Citroen 600cc 2CV flat twins.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com, bra-cars.com, et al
Brenda c.1920
Buckland
Dick Buckland of Newport, South Wales, built 12 Buckland B3 sports 3-wheelers powered by 1300cc Fork Kent engines and had fibreglass bodywork. These were styled along the lines of the Morgan F-type.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
Burbury Sidecars 1919
Bushbury 1897
Butler & Jordan
90 Bore Brooklands Special 1911
This JAP OHV V-Twin is a unique machine of which little is known apart from the owner's name on documents from the 1920s, Lawrence Butler. Of Jordan there is only conjecture.
Busy Bee
These were cycle attachment engines from the 1950s which were home-built using instructions published in Model Engineer in 1951.
Source: BuyVintage
Canoelet Sidecars
Manufactured by Mead & Deakin, Tyseley, Birmingham. Produced from 1911 to 1923 and likely other years.
"Canoelet Stands for all that is best in Sidecar Construction"
Source: Period advertising.
Carden Monocar
Manufactured in 1914 by the Carden Engineering Co Ltd, who were associated with the Carette Company. The designer was John Valentine Carden, a talented man who later became involved in aviation. The design was sold to Tamplin Engineering Co of Middlesex.
Source: period advertising.
Carlton Motor Co
The Carlton Motor Co of Cricklewood, London, manufactured carburettors and engines for cars and motorcycles from 1902. These engines were fitted to the Fly motorcycle of 1902. The firm, owned by Arthur Gower, was absorbed in 1902 by Coronet of Coventry, whose chief engineer was Walter Eden [1]. Coronet built cars and automobile engines, and reportedly built motorcycles in their first years.
Further information on Carlton: Stanley Show 1902
Sources: Graces Guide, The Motor Cycle.
N.B.
1. Possibly Walter Iden.
2. Unrelated to Frederick Hanstock's Coventry firm which built Carlton Motorcycles (1922-1940).
Castle Three
Manufactured by the Castle Three Motor Company of Kidderminster, Worcestshire, the cyclecar was similar in style to the 3-wheeled Morgan but was somewhat heavier and did not qualify for the tax reduction as a result. Powered by a four-cylinder Dorman engine, and later by a slightly larger Peters, they built around 350 vehicles between 1919 and 1922 when they introduced the Castle Four. Production ceased around that time.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
Celtic
Manufactured by the Celtic Cycle Co of Dublin, early 1900s
A 1903 Celtic fitted with a 188cc FN engine was part of the Harry Lindsay collection, and is the only known survivor.
The firm was an engineering company which made wheels and had an early involvement in tyres. They made bicycles which were sold in Ireland and London before building motorcycles. They later moved to Great Ship Street next to Dublin Castle as Lindsay & Sons and remained in business until about 1990 when the third generation to run the business retired.
Source: Robert Nason in the Motorcycles 1867-1930 FB Group.
C & H Cyclecar
Built by Corfield and Hurle, Stamford Hill, 1912-1913
Three-wheeler, tadpole style, chain drive to the rear wheel. Fafnir 5-6 h.p. water-cooled V-twin engine, Chater-Lea 3 speed gearbox. They were also available with a 964 cc 8 h.p. Precision engine.
Sources: The Motor Cycle, Graces Guide.
Cheviot c.1903~1910
C&M Sidecars
Manufactured in 1920 by Capjon & Mudd Engineers Durham Wharf, The Mall, Hammersmith
Source: The Motor Cycle February 3rd 1921
Collinge
Built in 1949 for speed records, the streamliner was fitted with a 500cc horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine and a cigar-shaped body in which the rider lay prone.
Source: wikipedia.nl
Colmore-Scott
Manufactured by Colmore Motor Cycle Depot, agents for A.C, Morgan, Calthorpe, Singer, Morris-Oxford, Enfield, Ford, and Humber.
31, Colmore Row, Birmingham. 49, John Bright Street, Birmingham.
Mentioned as using Precision engines, this was possibly a one-off built for the Colmore trial. The Australian rider S.L. Bailey is thought to have worked at Colmore after leaving Humber, subsequently joining Douglas.
Sources: Advertisement in The Motor Cycle, September 26th 1912, et al
Combidrive
Manufactured by Combidrive of Wales, the Combidrive Mouse has a 265cc diesel engine which propelled the vehicle to a world's record of 568 miles per gallon in 1996.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com, http://combidrive.com/the-mouse
Consul
Small assembler who produced Villiers engined 269 and 247cc models with orthodox frames.
Source: Tragatsch p 107
Coronet
Manufactured by Coronet Motor Co. Ltd. 1903-1906
Founded in Coventry as a motorcycle manufacturer, few examples were built before they switched to the production of automobiles in 1904. Chief Engineer was Walter Eden, son of George Eden who had designed several cars for the MMC Motor Manufacturing Company.
Using mainly British components around 4 Coronet cars were produced before firm was absorbed by Humber in 1906.
Source: Autopasion18.com
Coventry Duplex
"The Coventry Duplex Co.'s motor bicycle with Motosacoche attachment. Note the special construction of the front fork."
Source: The Motor Cycle, 1907
Crayshaw
Built by Mr. Raymond V. E. de B. Crawshaw in 1910, this very attractive rear wheel drive tricycle is thought to have been a one-off.
Source: The Motor Cycle
Crossley Brothers
Whilst not a manufacturer of motorcycles, their history is important in the evolution of the automotive industry.
They developed a production line near the turn of the century, possibly influencing Henry Ford who visited the factory in Pottery Lane, Openshaw, Manchester.
They built the first production rotary valve engine in 1886 and this continued to be produced until 1902.
In 1920 Crossley Motors bought AV Roe and Company, (Avro), which they then sold to Armstrong Siddeley in 1928.
When AJS went bankrupt in 1931, Crossley purchased a good deal of the stock and built some 300 cars using AJS components.
After WWII the firm built buses. In 1969 Crossley was sold to AEC who owned British Leyland, and the Crossley buses were built under the Leyland name.
Sources:
gracesguide.co.uk/Crossley_Brothers
wikiwand.com/en/AJS
oldbikemag.com.au
Autopasion18.com
Crouch
Built in Coventry, Warwickshire by Crouch Cars Ltd from 1912 to 1928.
Introduced as a three-wheeler powered by a 740cc, water-cooled Coventry-Simplex V-twin engine, it was named the Crouch Carette. A fourth wheel was added in 1913 and retained on all subsequent models, with engine size increased to 906cc, 994cc and then 1018cc. After WWI larger V-twin engines were fitted.
The Crouch V-twin was fitted to the C.M.C. Carrette by Swift.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com; Autopasion18.com
Daneville Tricars 1907
Dingley Brothers 1920
Duncan
A quite remarkable special built in Scotland in 1921 by an aircraft engineer, the Duncan has a JAP 980cc sidevalve V-twin mounted transversely in the frame a la Guzzi. Power is delivered to the rear wheel via a two-speed gearbox and shaft drive, and the rear wheel is suspended by air shocks with swing-arm. Now restored and on display at the Sammy Miller Museum, the machine was rather more than somewhat ahead of its time.
Dynasphere
The Dynasphere was a monowheel vehicle design patented in 1930 by John Archibald Purves FRSE from Taunton, Somerset, UK. Purves' idea for the vehicle was inspired by a sketch made by Leonardo da Vinci.
See also Garavaglia
Earles 1951
Edwell
Manufactured by Williams of Bromyard, Herefordshire around 1911 or 1912.
Some ten motorcycles were built using TD Cross 499cc 3½ hp sidevalve engines. They had belt drive with pedal starting and were fitted with Saxon forks and an enclosed ZE1 Bosch magneto. It is possibly based on the Haden. One of these machines has survived and was featured in an article in The Motorcycle, October 1998.
Sources: Nick Smith, et al.
EEC
Manufactured by EEC of Totnes, Devon in 1952.
A three-wheeler powered by a 250cc Excelsior 2-stroke twin, the machine had an aluminium body bolted to the steel chassis, with a single rear wheel. Only one was built before fire destroyed the workshop in 1954.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
Elliott
Manufactured by Elliott and Co, 325 Upper St, Islington, London, N.
In 1904 they advertised motorcycles fitted with Bradbury engines.
N.B. Unrelated to Elliott's of Adelaide, S.A.
Source: Graces Guide.
EMB
Manufactured by EMB Motors in Vicarage Road, Watford. The owner, J.G. (Jim) Bound used his wife's initials E.M.B. to name the company which was the Montesa importer. Their creations were raced at the 1951 IOM TT and elsewhere, certainly as late as 1955.
An example had a German D.K.W. frame with plunger rear suspension and E.M.C. wheels. The engine has a modified cylinder mounted on a a Villiers bottom end and was capable of a crackling 11,000 rpm.
Jim's daughter caught the virus and became a star in her own right: Barbara Bound
Sources: watfordobserver.co.uk, et al
Falcon
Manufactured by Peter Bird of Falcon Design.
The 3-wheeled Falcon LX3 first appeared in 1986 available in kit form based on the Citroen 2CV, using both the engine and the basic chassis of the original vehicle, along with suspension components. In appearance it resembles the Lotus sports car. It has a plywood body with fibreglass fittings including bonnet and luggage compartment, and some have stainless steel or aluminium alloy fittings rather than GRP. Some 200 are thought to have been constructed.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
Farrar / Farlow Sidecars
Manufactured by Farrar's Motor Exchange, Hopwood Lane, Halifax. 1909-1915
Wicker sidecars and trailers, motorcycle frames.
Source: The Motor Cycle
G.A.C.S. 1907
Glasgow Auto Cycle Services
An example is displayed at the Myreton Motor Museum in Aberlady, Scotland
Garrard Sidecars 1926-1961
Gilcolt
Manufactured by Ricketts, a Reliant dealer in Streatham.
Production began in 1972 using a Reliant Regal frame and componentry with a custom GRP body featuring gullwing doors. Available as a kit and as a complete car, not a great many of the 3-wheelers were produced.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
Girling 3-Wheeler, 1913
Givaudan
Givaudan is listed as a British firm by Tragatsch and others. Although at least two British firms are known to have fitted these French engines, there is no evidence to suggest that there was a British marque of this name, nor a subsidiary of the French concern in the UK.
Further information on this topic may be found in the notes on the French Givaudan firm.
GN Cyclecars, 1910-1925
Gnat
Manufactured by by Aimers McLean & Co Ltd, Scotland, c.1968~1978.
Akin to a golf cart, the Gnat three-wheeler was powered by a Briggs and Stratton industrial engine which drove the rear wheels via a 3-speed Albion gearbox. It had tiller steering, excellent brakes, good ground clearance and wide tyres. Load capacity was 650 lbs.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
GMS
Geoff Monty was a successful racer and motorcycle parts specialist who developed a series of racing motorcycles. The GMS Special used a heavily modified BSA Goldstar engine of 250cc. In partnership with Allen Dudley-Ward the Monward Triumph was produced in 500 and 650cc versions (the fastest of which was believed capable of 145mph), and in 1966 a Rickman Metisse-framed Triumph appeared.
Monty died in 2009, aged 92.
Source: Wikipedia
Gordon Three-wheelers, 1954-1958
Graisley Sidecars
Manufactured by AJS and then by D. F. & M. Engineering Co., Ltd (Diamond)
"In October 1931 motorcycle manufacturer A.J.S. went into voluntary liquidation. At the time they made sidecars using the 'Graiseley' name. Walter Vincent Ford, Diamond's managing director, was approached by Alec Holder, who had worked for Clyno as a draughtsman, and Harold Nock, who later acquired D.M.W. with the idea of acquiring the A.J.S. sidecar business in order to manufacture sidecars and supply them to existing A.J.S. customers. As a result, Diamond Motors purchased the A.J.S. sidecar business, together with the 'Graiseley' trade mark for £475, and continued to produce 'Graiseley' sidecars for ex-A.J.S. customers, including Swallow."
Sources: historywebsite.co.uk, et al
Grinnall
Manufactured by Grinnall Specialist Cars, Worcestershire.
Their first 3-wheeler was the Scorpion 3, introduced in 1992.
The Scorpion 3, with a single rear wheel, has used four-cylinder BMW engines including the K100 1000cc 8v, K1200 1200cc 16v, and K1300S and can achieve very substantial speed.
Bodywork is Kevlar reinforced fibreglass mounted on a tubular steel frame. Brakes are from a Cosworth Sierra and rear suspension is BMW Paralever.
The firm has also produced a Triumph-powered Grinnall TR 8 4-wheeler, and a variety of trikes.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com, grinallcars.com, grinnalltrikes.co.uk
Grosvenor Sidecars
Manufactured by The Grosvenor Motor Company, Bradford Street, West Bolton. 1912-1921
Source: period advertising
Guillodat
Manufactured by Kerswell Cycles, Lawrence Hill, Bristol. 1905
P.J. Kerswell established a bicycle business in 1887. His forecar, powered by a 3 ½ hp engine, appeared in 1905.
Image is from "Bristol As It Was 1914-1900" (sic), published in 1965 by Reece Winstone. ASIN B000N25L9A
GWK
Manufactured by GWK of Maidenhead.
The firm built cyclecars powered by Coventry Climax engines, and in 1927 produced a few examples of a three-wheeled microcar named the Grice which featured a 680cc JAP V-twin.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com, Graces Guide.
Harding
Manufactured in Bath by Gordon and Loxley in 1921, their focus was on invalid carriages, which they built under government contract during WWII. Production ceased in the early 1950s.
Some post-war models used Cyclemaster engines.
Hayes
Hayes of London built engines fitted to the Powerful of 1903.
Haythorn 1939
Henri Baldet
Based on the Renault Dauphine, this microcar with a single wheel at the rear was revealed in Britain in 1957. With the appearance of a miniature sports car, it had dual windscreens and seated two abreast. The steering wheel was on the left, so it may in fact have been an import.
Source: 3wheelers.com, et al
Hertschmann c.1897
Holcroft 1¾ HP 1901
Built as a one-off in 1901, Holcroft himself became a specialist in the railway industry who ran a large foundry between 1904 and 1928 and held numerous patents for steam technology. The machine spent several years in Sammy Miller's museum before making its way to Austria, where it was further restored. It has a Mitchel 213cc engine mounted in Humber frame.
Source: Hannes Denzel article at mvca.at.
Holden 1925
Howecette
The Howecette was created by Mr Bob Howard in 1968 using the engine and chassis of a Velocette (initially a 500 MAC, later a Venom) and elements of the front end from a Ford Popular.
The single-seater had an aluminium body. Only one was built.
Youtube (starts at 2m 15s) https://youtu.be/YTK8beSYhg8?si=ylSojGkORkn7qdrA&t=136
Source: 3-wheelers.com
Hudson Spirit
Manufactured by Hudson Component Cars, Norwich from c.1998 to c.1998.
The first model, a three-wheeler, was the Free Spirit. The single seater sports machine based on the Renault R-5 Le Car which Hudson fitted to their own chassis and GRP bodywork. A second model, the Kindred Spirit, had a lengthened chassis allowing for either a second seat or luggage compartment behind the driver's seat.
In Britain a variety of engines were offered, but the US version was only available with the 1397cc Renault engine.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
Hurley-Pugh
Hurley-Pugh Motor Bicycles was a subsidiary of Hurley-Pugh Airplane Company, located in Scunthorpe. It was was established in 1904 by Sir John Hurley and Alaric Pugh.
Pugh's daughter Charlotte Pugh-Henderson married John Pistonock, famed inventor of the thrunging sprocket.
Sources: hurley-pugh.co.uk, et al
Hutfield-JAP c.1909
Ilmore
Founded by Mario Illien and Paul Morgan in November 1983, based in Brixworth, Northamptonshire. The company built engines for MotoGP.
After the death of Paul Morgan in an aviation accident in 2001, Illien entered partnership with Roger Penske and developed the Ilmor X3 for the 2007 MotoGP World Motorcycle Championship, entering one race before withdrawing and effectively shutting down the race team, due to funding problems.
The company was well known for its work in Formula One and IndyCar.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Invicta Cycle Car 1912
Iris Sidecars
Manufactured by A. Ogilvie, St Paul's Rd, Highbury Station, N.1, London
Active in 1926, probably other years.
Isetta of Brighton
Italian microcars built under licence to Iso of Italy at the old Brighton Railway works in the years 1957-1962.
Source: Period publicity
J. Marston, Ltd.
135. J. Marston, Ltd., Hove. Trailers shown here, the special feature of which is that the basketwork is woven on to the framework itself, thus obviating the risk of the basket breaking away from the frame, adjustable arm and adjustable ball and socket clip, all being fitted with a lamp clip to show a rear light. Prices from £8 10s.
1902 Stanley Show in Motor Cycling, November 26th, 1902. Page 275
N.B. Unrelated to John Marston of Sunbeam.
James H Smith
Built in Camberley in 1904 by an engineering firm which was still operating in the 1950s, only one machine survives.
Source: The Bikesheds archive
JMB
Manufactured in The Quomp, Ringwood, Hampshire by G.H. Jones (designer), R.W. Mason and C.S. Barrow between 1933 and 1935.
The J.M.B. was a three-wheeled saloon powered by a JAP 500cc OHV V-twin mounted horizontally at the rear of machine, which had a frame made from ash. Available as a 2 or 4 seater, initially they had fabric bodies, switching to sheet metal in 1935. Some 250 were built in total.
Sources: austinsevenfriends.co.uk, et al
Kitto 1901-03
Koh-i-Noor
The Kennedy Motor Company Ltd, Shettleston, Glasgow, builders of the Rob Roy automobile, produced a flat-twin engine in the 1920s. Named for the famed diamond, it is thought to have been fitted to a few motorcycles.
Source: classicmotorcycleforum.com
L.A.D. Scooters 1919
L.D.E.
Manufactured by Frank Desborough of Commercial Road, Wolverhampton in 1951.
Powered by a 125cc watercooled two-stroke flat twin of his own design, the engine was not ready for the first 125cc IOM race in 1951 so a Villiers/Bantam engine was fitted. The machine is thought to have been the first motorcycle in the world to be fitted with disc brakes. Only one was built.
Source: historywebsite.co.uk
Leader, 1908
"The neat-looking Leader racer fitted with 7 h.p. Peugeot engine, ridden by E. Kickmam in both the Brooklands motor cycle races. In the first race Mr. Kickham finished second, but on the 9th inst. he was unable to catch up the limit men. The engine is fitted with a special current distributer."
Source: The Motor Cycle, 1908
N.B. Charles Binks produced Leader cars in the same period.
L.E.C.
A newcomer into the cyclecar class is the L.E.C, which is sold by the New Phonophore Telephone Co., 31, Budge Row, E.C., and is made throughout at the company's works at Southall.
The L.E.C., a water-cooled engined cyclecar with a Daimler pattern radiator.
Source: The Motor Cycle, 1912
Leopard
Around 1953 Pantherwerke models were offered in Britain rebranded as the Leopard Bobby. These came in three models, the Mk3, Mk5 & Mk6.
Lion 1900-1904
Lotus
The Lotus C-01 was a superbike created by Dr Colin Kolles and the Kodewa team with the support of the Holzer Group. Powered by a KTM 1195cc V-twin developing in the vicinity of 200 h.p., 100 of these were produced under licence from Lotus.
Sources: motorcyclespecs.co.za, et al
LSD Cyclecars 1919-1924
Malone 1999~2004
MB (Merrall-Brown)
Manufactured by Merrall-Brown of Bolton, Lancashire, 1919 to 1921, the MB was a three-wheeler with a water-cooled 1500cc four-cylinder Precision engine which drove the single rear wheel by chain. The cockpit had a steering wheel and seated two on a bench seat, and it had a folding cover which sat atop the rear luggage compartment when not in use.
Source: 3-wheelers.com.
Mead & Tomkinson 1960s-70s
McLachlan
E. A. MCLACHLAN, 55, Brighton Road, Stoke Newington, S.E. This exhibitor shows a two-seated sociable motor tricycle, which he catalogues at £75 - a machine of simple construction, but with no attempt at finish, and driven by a heavy oil motor, a simple construction, adopting the usual plumber's lamp for starting the vaporisation of the oil, which then acts by direct suction. Two speeds are obtained by means of belts with jockey pulleys, and the weight of the car is given as three and a half hundredweight.
From a report on the 1899 Motor Show (Cordingley)
Source: Graces Guide
Megelli 2007-2014
Mepward Engines 1920-1921
Mitchell (1960s)
A 50cc four-cylinder two-stroke built by Duncan Mitchell of Moto Decla, Stevenage, in the early 1960s. The engine was designed by Eric Fitz-Hugh some years earlier and further developed by Mitchel, an experienced 50cc frame constructor, who also built a 5 speed gearbox for the machine. With a bore and stroke of 25.3 x 25mm, each cylinder has a capacity of 12cc. The machine was not completed due, it is said, to financial constrictions.
Source: classic50racingclub.co.uk
Motor Wheels, Ltd.
A Curiosity in Motor-Bicycle Design.
The machine illustrated is the speciality in motor-bicycles brought out by Motor Wheels, Ltd., Euston Road, London. It departs entirely from conventional practice in design, the whole of the motor gear being carried by the front forks. The motor is a Simms, fitted with magneto ignition, and the drive is by a Crypto gear to the front wheel axle. The petrol tank, carburetter, coil and accumulator are supported on a bracket attachment carried by the forks.
A stout flat spring fixed between the handlebar and stem reduces the vibration considerably. Whether or not a machine of this type would be liable to side-slip badly is a doubtful point.
Source: Motor Cycling Magazine, Nov 12th 1902
Mumford 1971-1994
Murchie
William Murchie of Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, Scotland built several motorcycles and at least one car (in 1904) before becoming a dealer for Ford and Austin.
Source: scotsman.com.
Mutt
Constructed in Kings Norton, Birmingham, by Will Rigg and Benny Thomas using 125 and 250cc engines and other components sourced from the Far East, the firm has distributors in Japan, Australia, Indonesia and elsewhere.
Sources: muttmotorcycles.com, motorcyclenews.com, et al
Neall
Manufactured in 1910-1914 by Neall Brothers, Ltd.
Western Motor Works, Daventry.
Fitted 2½ and 3h.p. Precision engines.
Sources: period advertising, Tragatsch p.225.
N.B. There was a Neal (one L) of Sparkbrook in the same period, unrelated.
Neval
Neval Motorcycle Imports, New Holland, S. Humberside (near Hull).
1981 Model Intruder 340cc single cylinder twostroke, Hella 12v electrics, optional mag wheels. Drum brakes front and rear. Possibly a modified IZH, and appears to be a twin despite advertising literature stating that it's a single.
1990 Neval Jupiter 5 was an IZH two-stroke twin.
Their trials bikes are thought to be derived from Montesa.
Source: period advertising.
Nobel
The Nobel 200 Fuldamobil was manufactured by York Noble Industries Ltd, (N. Ireland) between 1958 and 1962 under licence from Elektromaschinenbau Fulda GmbH.
The Nobel name may also have been used in Turkey and Chile.
See also
Fuldamobil Microcars
Source: Wikipedia EN
Norman Engineering Company
Founded in 1919, the firm built motorcycle and industrial engines. Initially based in Leamington Spa, they moved to Warwick in 1936.
Norman 143cc four-stroke engines were fitted to the Kenilworth scooter.
They were also fitted to Italian motorcycles of the 1920s such Alfa and Doglioli & Civardi.
Motorcycle engine types included types E, EC, ECR (170cc) and MC (175cc). Production of motorcycle engines ended in 1936.
Sources: Wikipedia, et al.
North British Machine Company (NBMC)
Located at 24 Carlton Place, Glasgow, the company bought several Barr & Stroud engines, so it seems likely that they produced motorcycles, possibly between 1903 an 1909.
In the 1950s they sold motoring accessories, tools and equipment to the motor trade with customers throughout Scotland, and were agents for Elswick-Hopper bicycles
They may well have been related to The North British Motor Company of 310a St Vincent Street, agents for Clement, De-Dion and Lanchester Cars.
Sources: talkingscot.com, classicmotorcycleforum.com
Orwell
Manufactured by Ransome Sims and Jeffries in 1919, the Orwell was an electric sidecar combination with the batteries located below the sidecar passenger seat. The machine was road registered for road use and tested, but does not appear to have progressed further than prototype.
Source: Graces Guide
Oxford, 1899
The Oxford motor bicycle, a machine with a motor carried over the front wheel, which it drives with a chain, very much after the style of the Werner motocyclette, which machine it is probably an improvement upon, and the Oxford motor car, built either as a three or four-wheeler, at £90 and £95 respectively.
From a report on the 1899 Motor Show (Cordingley)
Source: Graces Guide
Peacock Engines 1903-05
Peel 1963-1964
Petty Weslake 1970s
Plater
Manufactured by J. J. Plater and Sons, Birmingham
J. J. Plater and Sons.
A variety of trailer and forecarriage bodies in wickerwork are exhibited on this stand by Messrs. J. J. Plater and Sons, of Birmingham. In addition to these, various descriptions of baskets suitable for tradesmen's work are also to be seen. (Stand 75.)
The Motor Cycle November 25th, 1903. p853
Crystal Palace Show 1903 Index
Powerdrive 1955-1960
Precision of Northampton
Manufactured by Precision Motor Co., Derngate, Northampton, 1902 to 1906. Offered complete machines powered by Minerva which they built under licence to the French firm, and also sold the engines separately.
Sources: Motor Cycling magazine March 1902, Tragatsch p252, et al
P.T.S.
Manufactured by Heinle & Wegelin of Germany, the PTS Auto-cycle was a tricycle developed along the lines of the Rüb & Haab and sold in the years 1899-1900 by Patents Trading Syndicate of Chiswell Street, London, E.C.. It may also have been marketed in the UK as the Liliput.
QPod
Marketed by the Unique Motor Company, the vehicles were manufactured in France by Secma and are also known as the "Fun Tech". Television personality Noel Edmonds ran the company.
The QPod was introduced in June 2004 and included a three-wheeler, the 50cc QPod City. The Unique Car Company ceased trading in 2006.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com; en.wikipedia.org.
REG 1950s-60s
Rickett
Built by Thomas Rickett of the Castle Foundry, Buckingham, in 1859, the three-wheeled vehicle was powered by a steam engine with pistons on either side of the boiler which drove the right-hand rear wheel via chain.
A second version was built for James Sinclair, Earl of Caithness, with the wheels driven through a two-speed gearboxs. It was demonstrated to the Royal family at Windsor Castle in January 1860. The Earl drove the vehicly 146 miles from Inverness to Barrogill Castle, Scotland, accompanied by his wife, with Thomas Rickett as engineer. Average speed was 12 mph. Production ceased in 1865 after the introduction of the Locomotive Acts of 1861 and 1865 that limited a vehicle's speed to walking pace with a person in front of it waving a flag to warn other road users of its presence.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com, en.wikipedia.org
Robson
Manufactured by S.T. Robson of 275-283 Coventry Road, Birmingham.
These were sidecar chassis only, no complete sidecars. The featured a Fivepoint attachment with a load spreading device similar to a Gloria sidecar. This was an attempt to prevent frame breakages.
Source: The Sidecar - A History by Geoff Brazendale
Royal Riley 1903-05
Sabella
Manufactured by the Sabella Car Co., Albany Street, W.
A RUN ON THE LATEST SABELLA.
WE recently had a run on the latest type of 8 h.p. Sabella cyclecar (the Sabella Car Co., Albany Street, W.) This vehicle is driven by an 8 h.p. J. A. P. engine, as are so many of the light cyclecars now on the road. The engine has an additional external flywheel, and is cooled by a fan driven by round belt off the mainshaft.
The Motor Cycle, 1912.
Safari
Manufactured by Geier
"In the new Safari moped, introduced at the 1958 Earls Court Show, Stuart and Payne Ltd. appear to have a real winner, for this German machine - powered by the well-tried Sachs engine in either two- or three-speed forms - offers a superb performance, coupled with a simplicity of design which argues both durability and freedom from adjustments."
Scammell
Scammell Lorries introduced its "Mechanical Horse" in 1934. Built for the London and North Eastern Railway, the vehicle was designed by O.D North.
This was a large 3-wheeler with wooden cabin mounted on a steel chassis, available with either a 3 ton or 6 ton payload capacity.
Powered by 1125cc and 2043cc engines (for the 3 and 6 ton models respectively), they had a single front wheel which could rotate 360 degrees making it highly maneuverable.
In 1967 it was replaced by the Scammell Townsman which ceased production in 1968.
Note: The Scammell was also made under licence in France by Chenard-Walcker as the FAR Pony Mécanique, which utilised a Citroen engine.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
Scootacar by Hunslet 1958-1964
Sgonina 1922-23
Sheffield Minor 1915
Stainless
A Stainless flat-twin engine is fitted to a 1911 Zenith in the Thomson Museum in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Embossed on the crankcase is "Stainless Motor Co Ltd / Stainless England"
Source: oldbikemag.com.au
Stella of Ipswich 1960-1963
Stimson
Manufactured by Barry Stimson from 1976 to 1980, the three-wheeler was powered by a Morris Mini 850cc engine and gearbox mounted in a Mini subframe. The front-mounted engine powered the front wheels. The bodywork was fibreglass, the occupants were exposed to the weather as it had no roof. The engine was also exposed, but a cover was available as an option.
The Stimson seated three and was classed as a motorcycle sidecar combination under UK regulations. The machine was sold complete, and also in kit form by Noovoh Developments of Brighton. Around 30 were built.
Other designs included the Stimson Mini Bug, the Stimson Safari Six, and the Stimson Trek.
Barry Stimson died in 2022 at the age of 82.
Sources: 3-wheelers.com, en.wikipedia.org, maximummini.blogspot.com.
Surrey Sidecars
Manufactured by Surrey Sidecars Ltd, Station Works, Coulsdon, Surrey, 1955-1961
Edward Ford built a variety of sidecars including the Sylvan "caravan", the Rambler De Luxe and the Coulsdon.
Sources: reddevilmotors.blogspot.com, contemporary advertising, et al
Streamline Sidecars
Manufactured at Tubela Works, Fowler Road Hainault, Ilford, Essex - 1950s-1960s
Models for 1960: Regal, Royal, Regent, Roebuck, Renown.
Source: reddevilmotors.blogspot.com
Sutherland
Built by Mr E Sutherland, this unique machine was powered by the 500cc Excelsior Talisman triple which usually powered the Berkeley.
Sources: Brian Avery, et al.
Syko
Built by Graham Sykes Performance Engineering, UK
Three wheeler competition sprint racer.
The Syko was originally a motorcycle sprinter with a 3.5 litre Rover V8 engine. In 2005 it fitted with a 5 litre V8, and in 2006 it was converted to a trike.
From their website:
Great attention to detail has been taken in the construction of ‘The Syko’ making it one of the most individual machines to race over the quarter mile.
The page goes on to mention Roger Goring’s Jet Funny Car "Firestorm" and Alex Macfadzean's world motorcycle land speed record attempt.
Source: sykoracing.com
Tamplin Cyclecars 1919~1920
T.B. Cyclecars 1919-1924
Thurlow
Manufactured by Thurlow & Co of Wimbledon, London. An early version of the three-wheeler was built in 1914, and production began after the armistice, in 1920. Powered by a 10hp V-twin Precision engine with a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox providing drive chain and then belts to the front wheels. The engine could be started from the rider's seat. The Thurlow was produced until 1921.
Source: 3-wheelers.com
The Tourist
Knap machines were sold in England under the name "The Tourist". Information is sparse, so they may have been Knap automobiles rather than motorcycles. Knap motorcycles were advertised for sale in England in 1903 by Kennard of 54 Hans Place, London.
Sources: lestricars.es.tl, historicar.be, Graces Guide.
Tredagh
Manufactured by P J Fulham in Laurence Gate, Drogheda, a bicycle shop. Drogheda is 50km north of Dublin.
Robert Nason writes, "It's more than likely that they made one or two machines and no more." He also states that a surviving machine presented as a Tredagh is of dubious heritage.
Source: Motorcycles 1867-1930 FB Group.
Facebook Warning!
Untitled Motorcycles
Established in 2010, UMC has workshops in London and San Francisco. It designs and builds custom motorcycles for individual buyers and in partnership with Ducati, Triumph, Yamaha, Moto Guzzi, and Zero.
Their UMC-063 XP Zero has won 17 international design awards. The electric motorcycle has an 82kW direct drive motor with a 15.2 kWh battery pack. It delivers 110hp and 146ft-lbs of torque giving a claimed top speed of 124 mph and an acceleration of 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds.
Sources: yankodesign.com, untitledmotorcycles.com.
Unity Equipe
26-30 Lowgates, Staveley, Chesterfield.
Unity Equipe specialised in Manx Norton, Triumph & Triton motorcycles. Alloy and fibreglass tanks were included in the 54 page catalogue of 2015, believed to have been their last. That year they sold the business.
In 1978 the firm bought the rights to the Manx name from John Tickle. The rights were passed to Bernie Allen of Wiltshire in 1989, who sold the name to Andy Molnar in 1994.
Utopian 1914
V.A.L. 1913-1914
Vickers 1921
Vimp Microcars 1954
Volta Sidecars 1920s
Warrilow
Manufactured around 1906 by Warrilow & Co. of Weston-Super-Mare, the motorcycles were available with engines of the customer's choice. A known survivor is fitted with a Quadrant 454cc engine verified to be of 1906 manufacture.
Source: Yesterdays
White
Manufactured by Norman White of Hampshire.
White motorcycles were first produced in 1990. Having built up his business producing special parts for Norton twins as well as carrying out specialist work on these models, Norman White went on to produce complete cafe-racers and similar specials based on the Norton Atlas and Commando twins.
In 1975 Norman White and Rex Butcher won the Thruxton 500 mile race on a White Norton Commando. Norman White was formerly Norton Villiers & John Player Norton Development Engineer, and Chief Mechanic at Honda Britain.
Sources: Graces Guide, normanwhite.co.uk
Whitlock Frames
Mick Whitlock of Horndean in Hampshire built trials frames, and was involved in the production of the Cheetah trials machines which were supplied in kit form in the mid to late sixties.
He also worked with Beamish, for whom he produced the RL250 frames.
Wilcomoto 1981-1983
Windle Sidecars
Terry Windle manufactured Formula 1 sidecars with monocoque chassis and Formula 2 sidecars with tubular frames for use in amateur sports as well as in the motorcycle world championship. His machines won a total of five drivers' championship titles between 1977 and 2002. Terry Windle decided at the end of 2009 to retire.
The Windle marque was revived by D&D Sidecars which produced tubular frames for F2 outfits.
Source: Wikipedia DE
Wolseley 1912
Yr Glanaf
Built in Caerphilly, Wales in 2017, the electric three-wheeler has a wooden body which leans into corners enhancing the handling. It has been displayed at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea.
Source: ltdevelopments.com
Xtra Cyclecars 1920s
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