A to Z Reference

Late Fifties Peugeot moped Peugeot 1899-Present France Today a renowned car and commercial vehicle maker, and also leaders in the twist and go scooter/moped marketplace. Considering their world standing, it seems impossible to believe the founder Jean-Frederic Peugeot opened his tiny business in 1811 at d’Herimoncourt making stays for ladies’ corsets. Much later, due to…

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Artie Ratcliffe on a Matchless competition bike Matchless 1901-67 and 1987 UK Cycle maker Harry H Collier established himself at Herbert Road, Plumstead, London, and was later joined by sons Harry and Charlie to form H Collier and Sons. They began experimenting with motorcycles in 1899, first with the engine mounted over the front wheel,…

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Geoff Duke shows his class in the early 1950s on a works four cylinder Gilera Gilera 1909 – Italy Born in December 1887, Guiseppe Gilera began making motorcycles in 1909 after gaining engineering expertise at Bianchi, Moto Reve, and Bucher and Zeda. A 317cc single was soon followed by a V-twin and the first of…

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Brough Superior – regarded by many as the pinnacle of vintage motorcycle design Brough 1909-25 UK The above dates are generally accepted as the production dates for WE Brough’s motorcycles. Yet he built his first motorcycle, powered by a period clip on engine in 1902 and by 1906, both sons, William (jnr) and George, were…

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1921 Waverly with Brampton Biflex front fork Watney 1922-23 UK Another small volume maker who assembled, or had assembled, motorcycles using proprietary parts. Engines included 348cc side-valve Blackburne, 293cc side-valve JAP, 269cc Villiers Mk V and 247cc Villiers Mk V1. Waverley 1921-23 UK One of literally hundreds of makers and assemblers who tried to make…

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1924 Seal three wheeler owned by MJ Holben Seal c1912-23, 1930 UK Motorcycle combination or cyclecar? Built by Seal Motors Ltd, Stretford, Manchester, in essence the Seal comprised a motorcycle combination less seat and handlebars which was controlled from within the sidecar. The motorcycle frame and the chassis of its permanently attached sidecar were assembled…

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Parilla 250cc ohc single, influenced by British design Parilla 1946-67 Italy Of Spanish parents, Giovanni Parilla was born in 1912 in Southern Italy. The family later moved north, to Mantova, and by his teens Giovanni found himself in Milan where he started his first business, a garage, which went on to specialise in diesel pump…

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1928 Magnat-Debon 350 Mabeco 1923-27 Germany Intrigue surrounds Max Bernhard and Co from Berlin, who began making near exact copies of 600 and 750cc Indian Scouts with engines built by Siemens and Halske. Following successful legal action by Indian, production stopped and Max Bernhard and Co folded to be reformed as Mabeco. Under this label,…

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Early Thirties Garelli lightweight two stroke Gadabout 1946-51 UK See Swallow, scooters built by famous sidecar maker. Gaia 1922-32 Italy Turin maker of lightweights with Moser, Rubinelli and Ladetto and Blatto engines. Rare. Galbusera 1934-55 Italy Production began with a range of ohv singles using Italian Miller engines (Rudge units built under licence). Galbusera sensationally…

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1949 Brockhouse Corgi Bohmerland 1925-39 Czechoslovakia Albin Liebisch designed the unconventional long wheelbase Bohmerland with its ohv single cylinder engine. Some had two fuel tanks and could seat two passengers as well as the rider. A short wheelbase racing version and, later, a two-stroke model, joined the range. Bond 1949-53 and 1958-62 UK Designed by…

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