The Tricycle Book, 1895-1902, Part Two

In the 19th century, British engineers had built a national rail network, established a cycle industry, and the arrival of the internal combustion engine was set to offer fresh opportunities for success, prestige and wealth.

The journey towards full motor production, however, was a difficult one, in part due to obsolete speed restrictions on public highways, the existence of hostile vested interests, and the approach of the early entrepreneurs. Some highly successful cycle companies, who were at the forefront of motor vehicle production, were brought to the brink of bankruptcy by the activities of company promoters, shareholders had their hopes of profits dashed repeatedly, and the scepticism of the investment community in motoring companies lingered for the best part of a generation.

After a faltering start, motor tricycle and quadricycle production began in earnest in 1899, achieved success in 1900, and was largely over by the end of 1901, as motor cycles and motor cars replaced them. The production time was short, but the quality of some of the machines made, by companies such as Ariel and Humber, was unrivalled anywhere in Europe. The British story of early motor vehicle development is unlike any other and deserves to be told.

The Tricycle Book, Part Two is the story of these machines from a purely British perspective. All of the major brands, including Beeston, Humber, Ariel, MMC, and Royal Enfield are covered in detail, along with, the smaller producers, notably Progress, Riley, Dennis, Alldays & Onions, and Swift. Singer, Slinger and Quadrant are included as the final flowering of these machines that were based essentially on the pedal cycle.

The development of the industry was as much about the entrepreneurs and the engineers as it was about their machines, and the contributions of Edward Butler, John Henry Knight, James Roots, Herbert Austin, Harry Lawson, E.T. Hooley, Harvey du Cros, Thomas Humber, Thomas Rucker, George Iden, E.J. West, the Riley family, and Charles Friswell, are all assessed.

This 400-page full colour volume (with more than 100 line drawing and 400 photographs) will be available from the beginning of December, and will arrive on your doorstep in good time for Christmas.

The cost of the book is £80 (plus postage), and any subscriber purchasing both Part One and Part Two together will be charged just £150 (plus postage).

All books ordered from within the EU are despatched from the Netherlands, and so there is zero import duty or tax payable