VETERAN CAR GUIDE
Dan Rudge and Co
Dan Rudge was a cycle racing champion who set up in business as a cycle maker in 1870 and his machines enjoyed a high reputation during the pioneering days of cycling as well as the era of the high bicycle . Dan Rudge died in 1880 and this machine was made during the period following George Woodcock ’ s purchase of the business from Rudge ’ s widow .
Rudge-Whitworth 1899 Formed by a merger of the Whitworth CycleCo Ltd and Dan Rudge and Co in 1894 the company grew to be the largest manufacturer of bicycles during the decade up to 1914 and also entered motorcycle production . The company was the first major firm to cut its prices when it was clear that the demand for high price machines was falling and they introduced a 10 guinea machine in 1897 . To do so the company employed methods of manufacturing drawn from cycle makers in the USA .
Singer Cycle Co 52 ” Ordinary 1886 and Solidtyred safety 1891 Established by George Singer in Coventry in the early 1870s , Singer bicycles were high quality machines as well as being innovative throughout the era of the high bicycle in the 1870s and 1880s . This was a reputation that was maintained when they turned to making “ safety ” bicycles and it is represented by two machines on this year ’ s run . By 1892 pneumatic tyres had started to eclipse solid tyres on new bicycles this solid-tyred machine marks the end of that era .
A fine array of veteran cycles on the 2019 Run .
CH Barbieux This company are not known to have been a cycle manufacturer and were probably a wholesaler who marked machines bought from a supplier of bicycles for the “ own transfer ” market . Although difficult to date precisely the bicycle has all the characteristics of a turn of the century machine and has survived in remarkably original condition .
MOTORCYCLES
Kerry The East London Rubber Company chose the ‘ Kerry ’ name for motorcycles manufactured on its behalf by the Belgian Sarolea concern , using re-branded Kelecom and FN engines fitted in a loop frame with curved downtube from 1902 to 1906 .
Minerva Minerva were the factory who started the motorcycle movement . Initially , they provided “ Motor Sets ”: engine , tanks , coil & battery , etc ., to convert a roadster bicycle into a motorcycle and many cycle factories such as Excelsior and Quadrant used them as their way into motorcycling , and later they made and sold complete machines .
1904 Kerry . www . veterancarrun . com f / veterancarrun . I @ veterancarrun 37