The Beeston Motor Co Ltd

Another one of Vicar Lane for Neil. You can just see the lamp post and Cash's shoe shop on the corner of Market Street in the distance. Post copied from topic Vicar Lane on 14th Feb 2022 10:18 am

You knew I'd love that, Helen! Wonder why they used the lane for that shot? Promo for the paper perhaps? According to Grace's, they were one of the first manufacturers of motorcycles in England - based at the later Swift works (now the Ibis Hotel).

I was speculating that it was another purchase by the newspaper to help distribute the papers. Otherwise it seems an odd place to photograph it.

Founded in Coventry by Harry Lawson, the firm traded from 1896 to 1910. Advertising of the period suggests they built the Beeston Motor Tricycle, and the New Beeston Motor Cycle of 1896. Lawson had purchased the Quinton Cycle Company when it was in financial difficulty and created the Beeston Cycle & Motor Company at the Parkside premises. He installed Quinton's former owner Samuel Gorton as works manager. Harry Lawson obtained a licence to build the De Dion engine, and co-operated with Humber in the early days. One of the Beeston machines took part in the first London to Brighton run, and was the only British entry. A 3

The other two photos of cars in Vicar Lane were late February/early March 1900, which puts the photo of the tricycle as a probable forerunner?

Also available as a tandem, not motorised! Fancy freewheeling down a hill on the front of this, Helen. "With ease and freedom from fatigue". This is 1898 and the single tricycles are in the newspapers from 1897.

"Absolutely no smell"! Sign me up for one! What I find interesting about the incredibly detailed original picture is that it doesn't appear to be fitted with a De Dion engine; I thought Beeston always fitted De Dion. So - is it actually a Beeston, and if so, what was the engine and why? I love this photo, thanks for putting it up.

Cov Digital labelling can be incorrect on occasions, Throwley, but it seems to match the ad I posted.