Calthorpe (company)

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Calthorpe was a British manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles .

Company history

The company Calthorpe Motor Co Limited of Birmingham began in 1904 with the production of automobiles.

In 1911, Calthorpe began series production of motorcycles. As a newcomer to this rapidly developing market, built-in motors from various manufacturers were used at the beginning ; before the First World War mainly Precision and JAP engines, later also Blackburne and Villiers .

From 1912 motorcycle production took place in Barn Street . MK 5 series hand grenades were also produced during the First World War .

In the 1920s, Calthorpe constructed its own engines, including a. the model G1 . The sale of this model was rather slow, so that this model was little modified over several years. Calthorpe experienced its climax with the Ivory range . The greatest successes were achieved with a color scheme that was striking for the time and the modern concept of a coordinated product range from the 250 cm³ entry-level model to 500 cm³.

In the 1930s, economic difficulties led to bankruptcy . Several attempts to revive by various investors failed, so that Calthorpe completely disappeared from the market.

motorcycles

1914-1915

In 1914 the models 2 Stroke , Big 2 Stroke and Jap were offered. Outwardly, the vehicles hardly differed, because they all had a plug-in tank and were belt-driven . However, as the name suggests, each model had a different engine.

1916

In 1916, the 2 Stroke and Jap models from previous years were offered in a technically and optically modernized form. The first time was also a team with chain drive and two-cylinder - V engine by JAP in the program. For women, the model was Ladies offered. The low frame and the belt guard allowed driving with a dress or skirt.

1921

With the exception of a few and small modifications, the models corresponded to the vehicles offered from 1916.

1925

That year, the motorcycles built by Calthorpe got bigger and bigger. The belt drive was replaced by a chain due to the increased power of the engines (3.5 HP). The vehicles were delivered with a 3-speed gearbox. For the first time a sports model with an OHV engine was available. For the first time, Calthorpe produced its own four-stroke engines .

Calthorpe 350 from 1927

1927

Calthorpe produced many vehicles that year, many of which were available with Calthorpe engines. The cheaper models essentially corresponded to the models from 1925. However, a 2.5 HP engine from Calthorpe ( model A.5. ) Or from Blackburne ( model A.5.B. ) was installed. The Featherweigth model ( C.2. ) Was also produced.

The more expensive vehicles Sport ( D.6.A. ) and Super Sport ( D.6.S. ) differed greatly from the others. The rounded tank and the massive 3.5 HP Calthorpe OHV engine gave the machines a modern look. A team was also available. A sports model ( G.1. ) With Calthorpe- vertical shaft engine ( OHC ) was also offered.

1929-1934

The Ivory models were built during these years . They all had a Calthorpe OHV engine with either 250, 350 or 500 cm³. The vehicles, equipped with double port, saddle tank and 4-speed gearbox, looked modern and sporty. The powerful and reliable engine helped the Calthorpe Ivory to perform well. The machines stood out because of their ivory paintwork, which was rather untypical at the time. In the five years of production, changes were also made to the Ivory , for example to the cylinder head . The most striking is certainly that the engine, which was initially upright, was later tilted forward ( slopy ).

1937

With the Calthorpe Red series brought onto the market in 1937, the company is once again showing its capabilities. The noble and sporty machines had a powerful OHC engine with double port. Three models were available. A 250 cc, a 350 cc and a 500 cc machine. The motorcycles were very well equipped and therefore had the addition De Luxe at the factory . A special competition model was also built. This was a sports motorcycle with a raised exhaust pipe and a Burman gearbox. The performance of the 350 cm³ or 500 cm³ engine was increased by a special AMAL carburettor , modified valves and a different cylinder head. The engine has been optimized for operation with a gasoline-benzene mixture or alcohol.

Automobiles

model construction time cylinder Cubic capacity cm³ Power hp
10 HP 1904-1904 2 1530
16 HP 1905-1905 4th 2383
12/14 HP 1906-1908 4th 1810
16/20 HP 1906-1908 4th 2854
28/40 HP 1907-1907 4th 4562
25 HP 1908-1910 4th 4250
12/14 HP 1909-1911 4th 2297
16/20 HP 1909-1916 4th 3261
15 HP 1911-1913 4th 3012
20 HP 1911-1913 4th 3817
12/15 HP 1912-1915 4th 1868 and 1924
15 HP 1912-1915 4th 3016
10/12 HP Minor 1914-1915 4th 1087 25th
10/4 HP 1919-1919 4th 1261 40
10/15 HP 1922-1926 4th 1261 30th
12/20 HP 1922-1932 4th 1496 30th
12/20 HP 1924-1933 6th 1860
10/20 HP 1924-1931 4th 1327
15/45 HP 1925-1928 6th 1991
12/25 HP 1926-1926 4th 1720

A vehicle of this brand can be seen in the Visby Bilmuseum Skogsholm in Visby on Gotland .

literature

  • Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader : The great automobile encyclopedia. BLV, Munich 1986, ISBN 3-405-12974-5
  • GN Georgano : cars. Encyclopédie complète. 1885 à nos jours. Courtille, 1975 (French)
  • David Culshaw, Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalog of British Cars. 1895-1975. New edition. Veloce Publishing PLC, Dorchester 1997, ISBN 1-874105-93-6 (English).
  • Paul Collins: British Motorcycle Brands Motor Book Publisher, 2000

Web links

Commons : Calthorpe  - collection of images, videos and audio files