Centaur Cycle
Centaur Cycle | |
---|---|
legal form | Company |
founding | 1875 |
resolution | 1910 |
Seat | United Kingdom West Orchard |
management | George Gilbert |
Branch | Bicycle construction, automobile construction, motorcycle construction |
The Centaur Cycle Company was a British manufacturer of bicycles, motorcycles and automobiles, who was based in West Orchard (Dorset) from 1875 to 1910 . Founders and owners were George Gilbert (1853-1915) and Edmund Mushing .
The company became known in particular for the manufacture of light bicycles. In 1890 the King of Scorchers was released, a bicycle that weighed only 11.8 kg. Other innovations for which Gilbert received patents were the adjustable saddle, removable pedals and adjustable, dust-protected rear wheel bearings. In addition, a tricycle was built with a tubular frame, which was also patented.
In 1900 the company started manufacturing automobiles and motorcycles, but as early as 1901 the production of light automobiles was stopped again. This four-wheeled vehicle was equipped with a De-Dion single-cylinder engine, which was specified with 4½ hp.
Motorcycle construction continued until Humber took over Centaur Cycle in 1910 and beyond. Gilbert retired into private life after the takeover.
Sources and web links
- David Culshaw & Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalog of British Cars 1895–1975 . Veloce Publishing plc. Dorchester (1999). ISBN 1-874105-93-6
- A Summary Description of the Papers of the Centaur Cycle Company . Archiveshub.ac.uk (English)
Secondary literature
- The Home of the Centaur . The Irish Cyclist, November 9, 1904