Buckler Cars

The Buckler Cars company founded by C D F (Derek) Buckler was based at 67 Caversham Road, Reading, Berkshire, England and produced approximately 400 cars between 1947 and 1962. In about 1947 Buckler took over the Welco Farm Implements Ltd at Crowthorne, Berkshire and a plaque can be seen on the site of the former factory.[1]

Background

In 1939 Buckler started a precision engineering business in Reading which undertook work for the motor trade. In 1947 they began to produce sports cars, primarily for racing.[2]

Buckler's were unusual in that they featured spaceframe construction. The cars were of high quality and supplied either fully built to order with a works body or optionally and mostly in component form for home completion. They were designed to accept a range of mechanical components to enable buyers to create a lightweight sports car suitable for road use and in rallies, trials, speed hillclimbs or racing. The first model, based on Derek Buckler's own very successful 1947 Buckler Special, was called the Mark V. Buckler allegedly did not want people to think it was the first car.

After prolific success in the early and mid-1950s, Buckler's popularity waned during the later 1950s as other manufacturers came on the scene and when the kit-car market suffered a reversal in the early 1960s. However Bucklers had considerable success entering the new Kart market in the 1960s, but ill health Buckler sold his company as a going concern in 1962. Once Buckler sold the company it seemed to lose momentum and the new owners, Mike Luff and Frank Fletcher, closed it down in 1965. Buckler, who had been in poor health for some time, died in 1964.

Jack Barlow, who had led the kart development, started his own company Barlotti in Reading. They produced karts until 1990.

In addition to making cars, Buckler's made gear sets for other companies including Lotus Cars. They also built the first racing car chassis for the Brabham MRD.

Overseas

During the 1950s Buckler's were exported globally. In New Zealand Arthur Harris managed Buckler (NZ) Limited. The first Mk90 registered to race in New Zealand in October 1956 was owned by Merv Mayo and powered by a Ford 100E engine.

Car models

It was the policy of the company that the specifications of all the cars was very flexible around a central design concept, as each car, kit or chassis was built to order. Basically there were about 12 model types over a period of almost 20 years.

Model Name Year
Mark V 1949–1955 1172 cc Ford engine. Top speed 80 mph (130 km/h). Open 2 seater. 90-inch (2,286 mm) wheelbase.
Mark VI 1950–1955 Long 94-inch (2,388 mm) wheelbase version of Mark V.
Mark X 1950 1172 cc Ford engine. Open three seat aluminium body.
Mark XI 1950 Long-wheelbase Mark X.
Mark XV 1950 BMC A-Series engined cars.
Mark XVI 1950 MG based version of Mark XV.
90 1953–1957 1172 cc Ford engine. UK Works aluminium body designed by Derek Buckler. New Zealand bodies designed by Ferris de Joux.
DD1 1956 Coventry Climax 1098 cc FWA engine or FWB 1460 cc. De Dion rear suspension. Body as per Buckler 90 model above.
DD2 1957–1962 Various engines up to 2 Litres. Optional De Dion rear suspension.Mostly Microplas Mistral GRP bodyshell, also Convair and AKS etc.
BB100 1958–1962 Backbone tubular steel chassis. Aluminium body designed by Derek Buckler.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Welco and Hughes Limited, photo of Buckler factory and chassis on roadside
  2. ↑ http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Buckler Entry in Graces Guide

External links

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