Belsize Bradshaw

Although cars and later commercial vehicles had been manufactured since 1897 under the name Belsize (they were made at the Belsize Works in Manchester) by Marshall & Company the Belsize-Bradshaw was such a departure from their previous models that it demands to be recorded as a marque in it’s own right.
The early 1920’s period was one of austerity and the hey-day of the lightcar and cyclecar aimed at bridging the cost (and comforts!) gap between the motor cycle combination and the full blown motor car. Most of the major manufacturers added such models to their ranges and numerous smaller manufacturers set up in business on the strength of this popularity, which unfortunately proved to be rather short lived. Belsize were no exception. For their contribution the, by then, well known Belsize Motors Ltd. of Manchester brought in the celebrated designer Granville Bradshaw to design a completely new vehicle to add to their range of products. Bradshaw had been responsible for the air-cooled flat twin A.B.C. the Skootamota and a number of motorcycle and aero engines. This basic model was never intended to be regarded as a sports car and was designed to fit into the economical 9 hp RAC rating for taxation.
It was introduced at the 1921 Automobile Show at Olympia, London, with much publicity and incorporating unconventional design features. The Motor magazine quoted “---- one of the sensations of the Show”.
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