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Excelsior, based in Coventry, was a British bicycle, motorcycle and car maker. They were Britain’s first motorcycle manufacturer, starting production of their own ‘motor-bicycle’ in 1896. Initially they had premises at Lower Ford Street, Coventry, and 287-295 Stoney Stanton Road, Hillfields, Coventry, Warwickshire before moving to Kings Road, Tyseley, Birmingham in 1921.
Originally a bicycle company making penny-farthings in 1874 under their original name: Bayliss, Thomas and Co, they later sold bicycles under the names of Excelsior and Eureka and changed the company name to Excelsior Motor Co. in 1910. In the early years of motor-bicycle manufacture they used Minerva, De Dion, MMC and possibly a Condor 850 cc single but went on to produce a wide range of machines with engines from most major manufacturers. In 1914, they offered a JAP-powered twin. A deal to supply the Russian Imperial government with motorcycles ended with the Revolution and Excelsior wound up with an excess inventory as a result.
The Walker family (father Reginald and son Eric) took over after World War I. R Walker & Sons of Tyseley, Birmingham had started as makers of ships lamps but in 1919 had made a range of motorcycles under the Monarch name to be sold by the London Department store Gamages. The company was re-registered as the Excelsior Motor Company Ltd, production moved to Birmingham and the Lower Ford Street factory in Coventry sold to Francis-Barnett[1]. They made a range of motorcycles from 98 to 1,000 cc, mostly powered by JAP, Blackburne and Villiers engines, plus an 850 cc Condor engine. The new company put more effort in competition and racing. To avoid confusion with the American maker of the same name, they called themselves the "British Excelsior".
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Excelsior Motorcycles
Racing Heyday
Their first major racing success was in 1929 when they took the Lightweight TT race on a B14, soon to be their most popular model. Excelsior specialized in small-size engine bikes and production racers like the complex but invincible 250 cc Mechanical Marvel, which won the Lightweight TT in 1933.
The four-valve 250 cc Manxman was released in 1935, later produced in 350 and 500 cc sizes, as well as a 250 cc model with fully-enclosed, water-cooled engine. H G Tyrell Smith rode for Excelsior in the Isle of Man TT and German Motorcycle GP races from 1936 to 1939. [2] In 1937 they made a 98 cc Autobyke, the forerunner of modern mopeds.
World War II
Their major contribution to the war effort was the 98 cc (6 in³) Welbike (Corgi), a collapsible motorcycle delivered in a pod by parachute, and used by anti-air men for 'rapid' movement across the ground.
Post-War
But the company wasn't doing well and in the lean years following World War II racing and luxury machines were sidelined in favour of cheap two-stroke engines. After the war, they used Villiers engines to make the 250 cc Viking and in 1949 the Talisman, a smooth two-stroke with 180-degree crank. A later 328 cc twin-carb sports version didn't sell well.
Bayliss Thomas cars
In 1919 the company made an experimental 3 wheel car with air-cooled engine but this did not go into production. But, in 1920 Excelsior entered the car business with a range of 4 wheel models and used the name Bayliss-Thomas as there was already a Belgian car called the Excelsior.
Around 1000 were made.
Cars were still listed in catalogues until 1931 but it is likely that none were made after 1929.[1]
Car models
| Type | Year | Engine | Body types | Wheelbase[3] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.9 Junior (9/19 from 1924) | 1922-1924 | 1075 cc 4 cylinder side valve | open four seater, sports | 99 in (2515 mm) | 3 speed gearbox |
| 10/20 (11/22 from 1925) | 1924-1927 | 1498 cc 4 cylinder side valve Coventry-Simplex | open four seater, sports | 99 in (2515 mm) | 9/19 with 10.8 engine. Front wheel brakes from 1927. |
| 10.8 | 1922-1924 | 1498 cc 4 cylinder side valve Coventry-Simplex | sliding door saloon, two and four seat open tourer, coupé, sports | 102 in (2591 mm) or 108 in (2743 mm) | 3 speed gearbox |
| 12/22 (12/27 from 1925) | 1925-1931 | 1500 cc 4 cylinder side valve Meadows | tourer, sports tourer, 4 light saloon, 6 light saloon, drophead coupé | 114 in (2896 mm) | 3 speed gearbox. Front wheel brakes from 1927. |
| 13/30 | 1925-1926 | 1795 cc 4 cylinder side valve Meadows | tourer, sports tourer, 4 light saloon, 6 light saloon, drophead coupé | 114 in (2896 mm) | 4 speed gearbox |
Closure
Excelsior last manufactured a motorcycle in 1964 and folded in 1965. Britax, a car accessory company bought the name and produced limited numbers of Britax-Excelsior machines in the late 1970s.
For reference the Head Office address was: The Excelsior Motor Co, Kings Road, Tyseley, Birmingham 11.
References
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Excelsior (UK) motorcycles |
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