Watsonian Squire
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycles |
| Predecessor(s) |
Watsonian Sidecar Co Ltd Squire Sidecars |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Founder(s) | Thomas Fredrick Watson |
| Headquarters | Blockley, Moreton-in-Marsh, England |
| Products | Sidecars, trailers |
| Divisions | Harglo Performance |
| Website | watsonian-squire.com |
Watsonian Squire is a British manufacturer of sidecars and trailers for attachment to motorcycles. The company was established in 1912 by Thomas Fredrick Watson as the Patent Collapsible Sidecar Company Ltd. at Balsall Heath, Birmingham, England.[1] The company is also the United Kingdom distributor for Indian-built Royal Enfield motorcycles. Today the company is based in the heart of the Cotswolds at Blockley, near Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.
History
Fred Watson founded the Patent Collapsible Sidecar Company, later renamed to Watsonian Folding Sidecar Company Ltd, after he built a folding sidecar that allowed him to get his motorcycle and sidecar combination through a narrow entrance to the yard at his house.[1] Early sidecars were initially built with wickerwork bodies, which were followed by ones with ash frames and plywood or steel panels. During World War I the company built sidecars for use as motorcycle ambulances. In 1922, the company moved to Hockley in Birmingham.[1] In 1930, the company was renamed to the Watsonian Sidecar Company Ltd.[1] In the same year the factory was destroyed by fire and in 1931 the company moved to new premises in Greet.[1]
In 1956, Watsonian took over the rights to the Swallow Sidecars name from Tube Investments.[2] Watsonian was an early supplier to the Swallow Sidecar Company, which after World War II was renamed to Jaguar Cars. From 1956, Watsonian started to manufacture sidecar bodies in glass-reinforced plastic (GRP).[3] As well as civilian models, they also manufactured sidecars for the RAC to use for roadside rescue.[3]
In the 1970s, Watsonian used their expertise in GRP to diversify into production of hardtops for Land Rover and for sports cars.[1][4] When the Land Rover contract ended in 1981, Watsonian was forced to scale back production and make several staff redundant.[1] In 1984, the company moved to its current location in Blockley.
In 1988, Watsonian merged with Squire Sidecars to form Watsonian Squire.[4]
In 1999, Watsonian Squire took on UK distribution rights for Royal Enfield motorcycles, which are now built in India.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Watsonian Sidecars". Made in Birmingham. Retrieved 20 January 2009.
- ↑ Heilig, John (1997). Jaguar. MotorBooks/MBI Publishing Company. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-7603-0352-8.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Axon, Jo (1997). Sidecars. Osprey Publishing. pp. 15–20. ISBN 978-0-7478-0344-7.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Timeline". Watsonian Squire. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
- ↑ Hollensen, Svend (2009). Essentials of Global Marketing. Pearson Education. p. 412. ISBN 978-0-273-71784-3.