Montgomery Motorcycles
 | |
| Industry | Manufacturing and engineering |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1913 |
| Defunct | 1939 |
| Fate | Wound up at outbreak of the Second World War |
| Headquarters | Coventry, UK |
Key people | William Montgomery |
| Products | Motorcycles and sidecars |
Montgomery Motorcycles was a pioneering British motorcycle manufacturer. Originally based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, following the First World War manufacturing was moved to Coventry.[1] Its founder William Montgomery was an innovator and is credited with the invention of the sidecar.[1] Like Brough, Montgomery made use of the best proprietary components from other specialist companies and concentrated on the production of frames and forks in-house - and Montgomery supplied a number of frames and its own sprung fork to George Brough.[2] In an advert from the time, Montgomery claimed "These Montgomery machines are for the men who prefer a distinctive mount in appearance and performance. That extra degree of soundness – those little touches which distinguish the 'super' machine from the mere motorcycle, come naturally to the Montgomery and at a price that is amazingly low."[3]
History[edit]
The first bike from Montgomery Motorcycles was a flat twin produced in 1913 with a Morton and Weaver engine. The First World War halted production, which did not resume until 1922 in Coventry.[4] William Montgomery continued to experiment with sidecar design and actually competed himself in the 1923 Isle of Man TT sidecar race.[5] The entire Montgomery works was destroyed by fire in 1925[1] but were able to eventually recover and by 1930 were a leading producer of quality two-stroke and four-stroke motorcycles. The top of the range was the Greyhound, finished in a special grey enamel paint. The Second World War brought an end to all production and Montgomery ceased trading in 1939.[4]
Models[edit]
| Model | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery Anzani | 1924 | 996 cc 8-valve, 57 degree, V-twin |
| Montgomery Greyhound | 1930 | 680cc (70 x 88mm) ohv JAP V-twin |
| Montgomery De Luxe 350 cc | 1934 | JAP engine |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Tragatsch, Erwin (2000). The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Motorcycles. London: Quantum Publishing. p. 560. ISBN 1861603428.
- ^ "Montgomery". Archived from the original on 20 May 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
- ^ "Montgomery Anzani". Archived from the original on 12 August 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
- ^ a b Currie, Bob (1988). Classic British Motorcycles over 500cc. Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 50. ISBN 1-85260-083-7.
- ^ "TT 1923 Sidecar TT Results". Retrieved 11 July 2008.