Calcott was a small English motor vehicle manufacturer[1] based in Coventry.[2] The company began as a bicycle manufacturer in 1886 taking advantage of a boom in the cycling industry at that time.[3] The end of the century brought an end to the cycling boom and the demise of many bicycle manufacturers; however, Calcott managed to continue production and by 1904 was also building motorcycles.[4] Production switched to automobiles in 1913 of which around 2,500 were made.[5]
By the early twenties, Calcott was producing 55 cars a week[6] however this was not enough to generate the funds needed for expansion, restricting their automobile manufacturing to a space designed to accommodate bicycle construction.[7]
Following the death of chairman James Calcott in 1924 and large financial losses in 1925[8] it was acquired by the Singer automobile company in 1926.[2]
In 1915, four different vehicle models were produced: the standard model, the convertible, the lightning set model, and a delivery model.[9] The engine program from 1923 consisted of the 10.5 with 1456 cc, the 11.9 with 1645 cc, and the 13.9 with 2120 cc.[10] In 1924, the vehicle program consisted of a two-seater/three-seater, a four-seater touring car, a coupe model, and a limousine vehicle.[11]
See also
External links
References
- 1921 Picture of the Calcott factory in operation^
- British Motoring Manufacturers retrieved 7 March 2010^
- The Growth and Significance of the Coventry Car Component Industry, 1895-1914 by Brad Beaven^