Excelsior (Coventry)

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For other motorbikes with the name 'Excelsior', see Excelsior (motorcycle manufacturer)

Excelsior, based in Coventry, was Britain’s first motorcycle manufacturer, starting production of their own ‘motor-bicycle’ in 1896. Starting out as a bicycle company making penny-farthings in 1874 under their original name: Bayliss, Thomas and Co, although they changed the company name to Excelsior Motor Co. in 1910. In the early years of motor-bicycle manufacture they used Minerva, De Dion, MMC and possibly a Condor 850 cc single but went on to produce a wide range of machines with engines from most major manufacturers. In 1914, they offered a JAP-powered twin. A deal to supply the Russian Imperial government with motorcycles ended with the Revolution and Excelsior wound up with an excess inventory as a result.

The Walker family (father Reginald ands son Eric) took over after World War I and made a range of motorcycles from 98 to 1,000 cc, mostly powered by JAP, Blackburne and Villiers engines, plus an 850 cc Condor engine. The new company put more effort in competition and racing. To avoid confusion with the American maker of the same name, they called themselves the "British Excelsior".

1 Racing Heyday
2 World War II
3 Post-War
4 Closure
5 Sources

[edit] Racing Heyday

Their first major racing success was in 1929 when they took the Lightweight TT race on a B14, soon to be their most popular model. Excelsior specialized in small-size engine bikes and production racers like the complex but invincible 250 cc Mechanical Marvel, which won the Lightweight TT in 1933.

The four-valve 250 cc Manxman was released in 1935, later produced in 350 and 500 cc sizes, as well as a 250 cc model with fully-enclosed, water-cooled engine. H G Tyrell Smith rode for Excelsior in the Isle of Man TT and German Motorcycle GP races from 1936 to 1939. ^[1] In 1937 they made a 98 cc Autobyke, the forerunner of modern mopeds.

[edit] World War II

Their major contribution to the war effort was the 98 cc (6 in³) Welbike (Corgi), a collapsible motorcycle delivered in a pod by parachute, and used by paratroopers for 'rapid' movement across the ground.

[edit] Post-War

But the company wasn't doing well and in the lean years following World War II racing and luxury machines were sidelined in favour of cheap two-stroke engines. After the war, they used Villiers engines to make the 250 cc Viking and in 1949 the Talisman, a smooth two-stroke with 180-degree crank. A later 328 cc twin-carb sports version didn't sell well.

[edit] Closure

Excelsior last manufactured a motorcycle in 1964 and folded in 1965. Britax, a car accessory company bought the name and produced limited numbers of Britax-Excelsior machines in the late 1970s.

For reference the Head Office address was: The Excelsior Motor Co, Kings Road, Tyseley, Birmingham 11.