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The BT-TB Radiator Mystery (upd. Thompson Brothers)

John Skelton recently unearthed this radiator grill from his garage. Not knowing what it is from, he asked around and was advised that it was from a Bayliss-Thomas. He then checked the web, but could not place it to a particular model. Indeed, all the Bayliss-Thomas models we know have a square radiator, not pointed like this one. And furthermore we also doubt the Bayliss-Thomas connection, because of the lettering. In the Bayliss-Thomas logo (auto-logo.com) the ‘B’ is more prominent, while here it’s the ‘T’ that’s on top of the ‘B’. So we tend to think this radiator was fitted on a make that starts with a T, but we have no other clues. Can you help?

Today on PostWarClassic: Brush up your mystery car detective talents...

Comments

#13 Roberto Santa 2012-01-31 02:23

El diccionario del autmovil dice tectualmente:ma rca de automoviles creada por la sociedad inglesa thompson brothers conocida y antigua fabrica de calderas.Inicio sus actividades en el año 1920 para terminar en 1924 fabrico un triciclo.

#12 Roberto Santa 2012-01-31 02:11

El diccionario del automovil,dice tectualmente, T.B.marca de los automoviles creados por la sociedad inglesa Thompson Brothers,conoci da y antigua fabrica de calderas.inicio sus actividades con los automoviles en el año 1920 para terminar en 1924 fabrico un triciclo.

#11 Michael Ware 2012-01-27 17:10

The one surviving TB cyclecar is the one that was held in the works. Some years ago the remains were dontated to the Black Country Living Museum at Dudley . I saw it there in 2005. I have a feeling it was missing a radiator. Michael

#10 R.Mawer 2012-01-26 23:25

Yes,it is definitely a radiator from a TB 3 wheeler car.There is supposed to be a surviving example,which was owned by the company at one time.It has been claimed it was allowed to get into poor condition.The TB make is covered in quite a few books,I think.

#9 John Robins 2012-01-25 09:09

A picture of a TB 10hp car is to be found on Page 192 of Nick Baldwin's A-Z of Cars of the 1920s.

It appears to prove the suggestion made.

#8 Tjerk Neijmeijer 2012-01-24 16:19

My 2000 copy of Georgano indicates under Thompson Brothers that they had 'Bugatti shaped radiators' and it even has a picture confirming the radiator shape as in your photo.

#7 Tony Prebensen 2012-01-23 08:56

Try Thompson Brothers http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/Cars/TB.htm
Google is an amazing source of stuff
Regards Tony

#6 Anders Svenfelt 2012-01-23 08:16

It's from a Thompson Bros. three-wheeler, made from 1919 to 1924 in Bilston UK. This is of course from the water-cooled version from 1921 onwards, but they also marketed a cheaper air-cooled model.

As an option extra lightning was offered...

http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/Cars/TB.htm

#5 Mark Dawber 2012-01-23 08:11

Accvording to my 1963 copy of Doyle/Georgano, TB was a three wheeler built by Thompson Brothers (Bilston) Ltd, Bradley Engine works, Bilston, Staffordshire from 1920 to 1924. I had never heard of it until I looked it up. Now all we have to do is find a pcture of one.

#4 Graeme Jarrett 2012-01-23 03:33

Rutger,

The TB radiator is likely to be from the three wheeled TB Cyclecar dating from the early 1920's. These were made by Thompson Brothers of Staffordshire, UK. There are no known survivors - so far as I am aware.

Regards
Graeme Jarrett

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