Belsize

GB, 1897 – 1925

(1) Marshall & Co, Manchester, 1897 – 1902

(2) Belsize Motors & Engineering Co Ltd, Manchester, 1902 – 1906

(3) Belsize Motors Ltd, Manchester, 1906 – 1925

The ancestor of the Belsize was the Marshall, put together by a former bicycle manufacturer at a time when all ‘British’ designs except one (Lanchaster) were copies or adaptations of foreign cars. The Marshall was a modification of the French Hurtu, with a radiator added, which was in turn the German Benz, a small car with a single-cylinder horizontal engine and belt-and-chain transmission. The first cars to bear the Belsize name appeared in 1901. Most Belsize cars were of modern design, including the best known, a small Belsize 12hp for sale with shaft drive and a 2-cylinder engine by Buchet that had mechanical inlet valves and was efficient for its day. Chain drive was still considered appropriate for big cars, like the 20hp Belsize, which also had a 3-cylinder engine and a dashboard radiator. At the 1906 Olympia Show, a fine shaft-driven six with overhead valves was exhibited. However, the Belsize firm gained most of its repute from its conventional, smaller cars, which came to use 4-cylinder, side-valve engines with a notably good power output, unit construction of engine and gearbox, and worm final drive. Commercial vehicles, including Belsize taxis, were also made.

The staple model by 1920 was the Belsize Fifteen, of 2.8 litres; but in 1921, a true light car was introduced, the Belsize-Bradshaw. This used a 1094cc, ohv V-twin engine with oil cooling, designed by Granville Bradshaw, that was quieter-running than most conventional twins. Granville Bradshaw also made similar and smaller oil-cooled engines, some flat-twins, for installation in motor cycles and other manufacturers’ cars, as well as his famous air-cooled flat-twin (ABC). However, that in the Belsize-Bradshaw for sale was unreliable and frail, and undistinguished water-cooled fours replaced it in the light car range. All the same, by 1924 all cars were called Belsize-Bradshaws. The firm’s last fling was into multi-cylinderism on a miniature scale, with a 1696cc six in 1924, and, for 1925, a 2½-litre straight-8, both with overhead valves. The Belsize-Bradschaws company was in the official receiver’s hands before many of either could be made.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; TRN

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com