Research update
Good morning everyone.
I thought I would keep you informed of the research that I am currently looking at and hoping to publish soon as some are in the final stages.
For the truck enthusiasts, we have Albion and Thornycroft nearing completion.
For the motorcycle enthusiasts, we have BSA, Indian, Moto Guzzi, Ariel, Brough Superior, Velocette, and Vincent HRD.
For the car enthusiasts, we have Singer Cars, Jaguar and the infamous AC Cobra.
I am trying to get these completed as quickly as possible for you all to read. If you have any suggestions on what motor you would like to see researched next, drop me an email, and I’ll add it to the top of the list.
I would also like to thank the many people around the world, who have been viewing and publishing the articles that I have written, it’s good to know that there are so many of you out there that have an interest in classic motors.
Thanks very much and I’ll be back soon with the next publication.
Dawn
The History of Scammell Trucks
Scammell began when the wheelwright, George Scammell of Spitalfields, London developed his business. In the early 1900s, they had built a substantial business by selling and maintaining Foden steam wagons and small trucks.
The outbreak of war in 1914 presented itself as a turning point in road transport history. Mechanical transport was seen to work, proving its vast potential beyond doubt to such forward thinking companies such as Scammell.
The early 1930s saw the production of the 3 wheeled “Mechanical Horse”, designed by Oliver North to replace horses in rail, postal and other delivery applications. It featured automatic carriage coupling and the single front wheel could be steered through 360 degrees. It was sold in 3 and 6 ton versions. A 1125cc side valve petrol engine powered the 3 ton version and a 2043cc engine powered the 6 ton.
To read the abridged version please click here.
A New Members Area is in development
I am currently in the process of setting up a members area within the website, to enable exclusive downloads of certain research publications when they become available.
The next piece of research to be published relates to Scammell Trucks. A small excerpt publication will be available within the website, but the main publication will be listed within the members area.
I will announce the publication on here within the next 48 hours.
The history of AC Cars
AC Cars was established in 1907 and is the oldest British car manufacturer that is still producing vehicles today.
The AC name came from the name of their first commercial three wheeler – the autocarrier, which was designed and manufactured by John Weller.
In 1908, a new passenger version called the “AC Sociable” was introduced. It was the first time that the initials AC had been used.
The Ace arrived in 1953, designed by John Tojerio. The distinctive body was produced in aluminium and looked similar to contemporary Ferrari models and it would also form the basis for the lengedary Cobra.
The AC Cobra was produced during the 1960s and is perhaps one of the most iconic cars of all time.
The first ‘75 Cobra Mark I’ (including the prototype) were fitted with the 260 engine (4.2L). The remaining 51 ‘Mark I’ model were fitted with a larger version of the Windsor Ford engine, the 289 in³ (4.7L) V8.
AC also produced the AC Frua until 1973. The AC Frua was built on a stretched Cobra 427 MK III coil spring chassis using a very angular handsome steel body designed and built by Pietro Frua. With the demise of the Frua, AC went on building lesser cars and eventually fell into bankruptcy in the late 1970s. The company’s tooling and eventually the right to use the name, were licensed by Autocraft, a Cobra parts reseller and replica car manufacturer owned by Brian Angliss.
In 2006 Carol Shelby’s own Shelby Cobra sold at an auction in Arizona for £2.8million.
To read the full publication please click here.
The history of Mack Trucks
America has always had a love affair with automobiles, and in the early 1900s, trucks were an afterthought and were being assembled using surplus car parts. John Mack changed this.
By 1911, the company was the premier manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks, making 600 units a year.
Over the years, there had been few Mack models as famous as the AC model. The Mack BJ and BB models, the first of the early B Series introduced in 1927, represented the company’s first trucks developed in response to the demand for larger capacity, higher speed haulage.
In 1991, Mack developed the High Swirl/Moderately High Injection Pressure Combustion System to optimise the mixing of diesel fuel and air in its E7 and E9 engines. The system increased combustion efficiency, and in the process, improved fuel economy, lowers emissions, maintains oil viscosity, and lengthened oil change intervals.
To read the full publication please click here.
The History of AJS Motorcycles
A J Stevens & Co (AJS), was founded by Harry, George, Jack and Joe Stevens on 14th November 1909.
Harry set about designing the first two machines called model ‘A’ and model ‘B’. Model ‘A’ was the cheaper machine, and was fitted with a 2.5hp single cylinder, side valve engine and a direct belt drive.
In 1920, the company decided to try to repeat the success that it had in the 1914 Isle of Man Junior TT. Harry developed a new 2.75hp overhead valve engine, and the TT machine included a 3 speed countershaft gearbox, which provided 6 speeds by engaging either of the 2 engine sprockets. It had a Thompson Bennett magneto and an Amac carburettor. The new machine did the trick, and Cyril Williams came in first.
At the end of August 1931, a loss of £89,201 was announced and the shares fell in price. The company had previously taken out a loan with the Midland Bank to finance the commercial vehicle and car business. The bank decided to foreclose on the loan and although the company managed to repay the outstanding amount, it was left with only a small amount of working capital. An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders was called on 2nd October, at the Victoria Hotel. A resolution was passed for the company to go into voluntary liquidation. John Todd Lewis of Agar, Bates, Neal & Company, of Birmingham, was appointed as liquidator.
To read the full publication click here.
History of Coventry Eagle Motorcycles
Coventry Eagle began in 1890 as Hotchkiss, Mayo & Meek, but they changed their name to Coventry Eagle in 1897 when John Meek left the company. In 1898, they also began to experiment with motorised vehicles and by 1899, production of motorcycles had begun.
In the early 1920s, the line up chopped and changed depending on what engines were available at the time and the company swapped between Abingdon, JAP, King Dick and Villiers motors.
Coventry Eagle got the formula right with perhaps the most iconic bike of its time the “Flying 8″. This was a development of the JAP V-twin, and initially used the 976cc side valve motor, although a 50 degree 980cc OHV version trundled along for the 1926 season, with heavy duty Webb girder front forks, and 8 inch Royal Enfield brakes on both wheels, it weighed 395lb and it’s wheelbase was 59 inches.
To read the full publication click here.
History of Foden Trucks
Foden Trucks date back to 1856.
Edwin Foden began his career at Plant & Hancock. He left them for an apprenticeship at Crewe Railway works but later returned at the age of 19, and he became a partner in the company.
In 1887, the company was renamed Edwin Foden Sons & Co Ltd.
Experimental steam lorries were first produced shortly after the turn of the 20th century.
Edwin’s son, Edwin Richard, saw the future in diesel power, and in 1932, he resigned from the board of directors, and subsequently retired at the age of 62. His son Dennis, could not afford to resign but was not prepared to let things carry on as they were and with financial input from the immediate family, a new company was set up to design and produce diesel lorries.
In 1932, Foden changed their production almost immediately and concentrated on diesel, although some steam vehicles production took place until 1934.
1964 saw Foden design a new model to compete in the 32 ton market.
The company suffered in the early 1970s, and was bailed out by the Government. In 1980, PACCAR acquired the company, but following other acquisitions and changes within the company, the last Foden truck was produced in July 2006, putting an end to the 150 year history of the Foden Trucks.
To read the full publication click here.
