Belsize Motors is one of the premium motor companies based in Clayton, Manchester. Marshall & Company established this company in the year 1901. The company is named after Belsize Works where the company manufactures bicycles.
The first car of Belsize Motors was manufactured in 1897. The car resembled the original Benz and was similar to French Hurtu. The car became very popular and even received a Gold Medal for its efficiency at the London Exhibition in 1899. Buchet a new four-seated model appeared in 1901 and it was known as 'Marshall Belsize'. A twin cylinder engine was attached to this particular model. In 1903 the company name was changed to Belsize Motors and Engineering and finally it was named Belsize Motors Limited in 1906.
Prior to World War I, Belsize Motors of Manchester emerged as a market leader in the motor industry. It employed more than 1200 people and manufactured 50 vehicles per week. The company manufactured a variety of commercial vehicles including taxis and trucks and also fire engines with a capacity of 14.5 liters.
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After the World War I, Belsize Motors started manufacturing other models. Belsize-Bradshaw was produced with a 9hp
and 1284cc V-twin engine made by Dorman. Designed by Granville Bradshaw the unique feature in this car model was that it was partly air-cooled and partly oil cooled. However, the market did not response well as this model was unreliable. In 1924 the original Belsize motorcar model with 1250cc and 4 cylinders replaced this model.
Some of the main car models of Belsize Motors were:
- 1901 12hp 1728cc with 2 cylinder
- 1909-1913 - 14/16 2543 cc 4 cylinder
- 1910-1913 18/22 3000cc 6 cylinder
- 1921-1924 9hp Belsize-Bradshaw 1100cc V2 cylinder
Some of the company's old models are showcased in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry. 10Hp Belsize model of 1912 is exhibited in this museum. At present, though most of the models of have become out dated, Belsize Motors remains a special name in the motoring history of Manchester, England.
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