A Chronology of Car Building in the Black Country
1884

 

 

 

 

Thomas Parker

Wolverhampton

 Thomas Parker, the Black Country’s first motorist, claimed to have started travelling to and from work in cars of his own design, in 1884.

The photograph shows one of his electrically powered cars from about 1895 outside his home, The Manor House, Tettenhall.

Thomas is sitting in the middle seat.
1896

 


  

 

E.C.C.

Wolverhampton

 In 1896 and 1897 the Electric Construction Company of
Wolverhampton experimented with a few prototype
vehicles, designed by Thomas Parker’s son, Thomas Hugh Parker.

The photograph shows the "Electric Dog Cart" from 1896.
1897

 

 

 

 

Star

Wolverhampton

 In 1897 Joseph Lisle visited Holland, learned to drive, and acquired a Benz car. Star used it as the basis for their first model, launched in 1898.

They soon became an important quality-car manufacturer.

The photograph opposite shows Eric Payne's Star-Benz from 1899.
1898

 

 

 

 

 

Trusselle

Wolverhampton

 

 In the late 1890s Mr. William Harri Trusselle, known as Harri, began to build cars at his premises in Byrne Road.

They were small 2 seaters using a 2.75 hp. De Dion engine.

Only a few were built.

 
1899

 

 

 


 

Sunbeam

Wolverhampton

 Sunbeam entered the field with a prototype car in 1899 and went on to produce large numbers of extremely high quality vehicles at Moorfield Works.

The photograph is of Sunbeam's first prototype car of 1899 with James Morgan in the driving seat.
 
1901

 

Thomas Hugh Parker

Wolverhampton

 In 1901 Thomas Parker's son, Thomas Hugh Parker built a
prototype steam car at the Wearwell Works in Pountney Street.

Only one was built.
1902

 

 

 

 

Turner

Wolverhampton

 James Burns Dumbell acquired the manufacturing rights for the Belgian Miesse steam car and started producing Turner-Miesse steam cars at his works in Walsall Street. The company went on to produce many petrol engined cars until production ended in 1928.

The photograph shows the 1904 Turner-Miesse steam car that is at the Black Country Living Museum.
1905

 

 

 

 

Starling and Stuart

Wolverhampton

 In 1905 Star introduced a cheaper range of cars which were sold under the name of Starling, and later Stuart.

They were discontinued in 1909 and replaced by the Briton.

The photograph is of a 7hp. Stuart from 1906.
1904

 


 

Wolf

Wolverhampton

 The Wolf 'Carette' tri-car was produced by the Wearwell Motor Carriage Company. It sold for 90guineas and had body panels, and a steering wheel.

Little is known about them.
1907

 

 

 

 

Sedan

Wolverhampton

 The Sedan Auto-Car Syndicate Limited, based at 51 Lichfield Street was founded in 1907.

Several unique articulated cars were built to Thomas Hugh Parker’s design.

One still survives at Beamish Museum.
1909

 

 

 

 

Briton

Wolverhampton

 Star founded the Briton Motor Company in 1909 to produce cars under the Briton name.

They continued in production until
December 1921.

Opposite is Tony Chesters’ Little Briton 12 from 1910.
1911

 

 

Crescent

Walsall

 The first Crescent cyclecars were made in Pleck Road, Walsall.

In 1913 production moved to Britannia Works, Smethwick.
1913

 

 

Medinger

Wolverhampton

 Emile Medinger, a successful racing driver, built a cyclecar, either at the Sunbeam Works, or at his premises in Worcester Street, Wolverhampton.

He also designed and built at least two engines.
1919

 

 

 


  

Bean

Tipton

 Jack Harper Bean began producing cars at his Tipton factory.

The cars were very successful and large numbers were built.

Opposite is Maurice Luscot Evans at the wheel of his Bean Tourer.
1919

 

 

 

Guy Motors

Wolverhampton

 Commercial vehicle and bus manufacturer Guy Motors had a brief spell building cars.

Their first model, the ‘Guy Open Tourer’ had the first British V8 engine.

Around 150 to 200 cars were built.
1919

 


 

Laurence Jackson

Wolverhampton

 A few Laurence Jackson cars were built by the Chassis Construction Company.
1919


   

Thompson Brothers

Bilston

 Thompson Brothers started to build cyclecars in 1919. They were successful in trials events and hill climbs.

Production ended in 1924.
1919


   

 

Varley-Woods

Wolverhampton

 Varley-Woods cars were designed by Ernest Vernon Varley Grossmith and Robert Woods.

They were mostly built by the Turner manufacturing Company but were unsuccessful.

Production ended in 1920.
1921

 

Allan Thomas

Wolverhampton

 Allan Thomas of Cleveland Street designed and built single seater and two seater cyclecars.
1921

 

 

New British

Cradley Heath

 New British cyclecars were made at Colonial Works in Cradley Heath for about 2 years.
1922

 

 

 

 

Clyno

Wolverhampton

 Clyno started to build cars in 1922 and large numbers were sold.

In its heyday the company was the third largest car maker in the UK.

By the time production ended in 1929, about 40,000 cars had been produced.

Opposite is Roy Surman's Clyno Tourer from 1924.
1922


 
   

Roger

Wolverhampton

 Roger cars were built by Thomas Rogers in St. George’s Parade.


Production began in February 1922 and several models were available. Few can have been made.
1930

 

 

 


    

A.J.S.

Wolverhampton

 A.J.S. began to build cars in 1930 after the closure of Clyno.

The end result was the splendid A.J.S. ‘Nine’, designed by A.G. Booth.

Other models followed but unfortunately it came too late for A.J.S. The firm went into voluntary liquidation in October 1931.
1934

 

 

 

 

Jensen

West Bromwich

 Jensen Motors Limited of West Bromwich began producing their successful, high quality cars in 1934.

By 1966 they employed over 1,000 people and the Interceptor was voted car of the year.

Opposite is Jason Taylor’s Jensen MK3 Interceptor from 1971.
1952

 

 

 

Kieft

Wolverhampton

 Car racing enthusiast Cyril Kieft moved his car production to
Derry Street, Wolverhampton from South Wales in 1952.

He produced a number of racing cars.

1953

 

 

 

 

P.R.A.

Wolverhampton

 Little is known about P.R.A. It either stands for Preston Racing Associates or Preston Racing Automobiles.

The car was built by Mr. C. Preston and has a 500c.c. Manx-Norton engine.

It is in the collection at the Black Country Living Museum.
1954

 

 

 

 

Kieft

Wolverhampton

 Racing car builder Cyril Kieft produced the 1100 CC sports car in 1954 at his ‘Reliance Works’ in Derry Street, Wolverhampton.

Only a few were built.

The photo opposite shows the Kieft 1100 CC sports car that belongs to the Black Country Living Museum.
1954

 

 

 

 

Swallow

Walsall

 Walsall based sidecar and
scooter manufacturer Swallow Coachbuilding began producing their Doretti sports car in 1954.

Production lasted for about a
year and 275 cars were built.

Opposite is Angela and Trevor Davies in their Swallow Doretti.
1955

 

 

 

 

 
Turner Sports Cars

Wolverhampton

 Jack Turner built a few racing cars at Seisdon and later moved to Wolverhampton to build sports cars.

Several models were produced, some of which were used in racing events. Production ceased in 1966. Between 650 and 700 sports cars were built.

Opposite is Ray Jones and his BMC MkII Turner from 1961.
1957

 

 

 

 

 
Frisky

Wolverhampton

 Engine manufacturer Henry Meadows began to produce Frisky cars in 1957.

The first production model was the 'Frisky Sport'. Other models included the 'Frisky Coupé' and the 'Family Three'.

The photograph opposite shows John Meadows' Frisky Sport.

1962

Gitane

Wolverhampton

 Very little is known about Gitane cars, which were built by C.F. Plant Limited. They had a rear-mounted 997c.c. engine and disk brakes.

They were too expensive and very few were produced.

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