- Corgi Motorcycle Co Ltd.
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Brockhouse Engineering Ltd Former type Private Founded 1946 Defunct 1954 Headquarters Southport, UK Key people John Dolphin Products Motorcycles The Corgi Motorcycle Co Ltd. was a British motorcycle manufacturer based in Southport that produced 98 cc scooters developed by managing director John Dolphin from the military Welbike motorcycle.[1] Production of the Corgi scooter for the UK market began in 1948 and 27,050 were manufactured before production ended in October 1954.[2]
Contents
History
Founded by managing director John Dolphin at the end of the Second World War in 1946[3] the Corgi Motorcycle Company was formed to develop a civilian version of his 98 cc Welbike, which had been designed at The Frythe in Hertordshire to be dropped by parachute to support airborne troops.[2]
The main difference between the Corgi scooter and the Welbike were that frame was more solid (as weight was no longer such an issue) and the Corgi had a fuel tank in the normal motorcycle position between the handlebars and the saddle. Both were otherwise very similar with small wheels and folding handlebars and seat. Both had 98 cc two-stroke engine with a single gear. The original Corgi scooter was started by pushing, but the Mark 2 was fitted with a kick start and two clutches – a conventional handlebar operated clutch and a "dog-clutch" operated by folding down the right hand footrest to engage the rear wheel, to enable the Corgi to be kick-started and run whilst stationary.[4]
Brockhouse Corgi Mk2
A company called Brockhouse Engineering of Southport built Corgi scooters (powered by an Excelsior Spryt Autocycle engine)[2] under licence and many were exported to the United States between 1947 to 1954. Sold through a department store the Corgi was branded the Indian Papoose for the US market.[5] Production of the Corgi scooter for the UK market began in 1948 and 27,050 were manufactured before production ended in October 1954.[2]
Owners' club
A club for fans of the Brockhouse Corgi was established in June 1948 after a letter was published in 'Motor Cycling' suggesting that owners meet up at Kew Green in south west London that weekend. By 1952 the club had become international and owners were making continental camping trips on their machines.[6]
A Brockhouse Corgi owners' club was re-started in 2011 for everyone interested in the machine. Its aim is to assist owners restore their Corgis and to inform other interested parties of the machine's history.
Uses
As a marketing stunt a Corgi scooter was ridden across the American continent. They were also used by the US Air Force during the Korean War as transport for maintenance staff and were kept aboard aircraft for use by aircrew. Corgi scooters were available with optional sidecars, which were also produced by Brockhouse and a dealer called Jack Olding produced various accessories for the machine including a body kit, making the Corgi look like a step-thru scooter.[5]
Accident
In 1948 the Gloucester Flying Club held their annual "At Home" and flying display at Staverton airfield on Saturday, July 3. The programme started with a mock bombing display by F/O. Burgess and Mr. R. Law flying a Tiger Moth and their target was a Mr. J. Anning riding a Corgi scooter. Unfortunately, during one of the bombing runs Mr. Anning was struck on the head and had to be taken to hospital.[7]
Sources
- ^ "British motorcycle manufacturers". http://www.ianchadwick.com/motorcycles/britbikes/brit_c.html. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
- ^ a b c d Miller, Peter. From Welbike to Corgi. FWtoC Publishing. ISBN 0953068315.
- ^ "John Robert Vernon Dolphin". http://www.unithistories.com/officers/Army_officers_D01.html. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
- ^ Wilkinson, Bill. "A Corgi in Retrospect". http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~pattle/nacc/arc0571.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
- ^ a b "Brief History of the Marque: Corgi". http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/corgi.htm. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
- ^ Miller, Peter. From Welbike to Corgi. FWtoC Publishing. ISBN 0953068315. p119
- ^ "Civil Aviation News". Flight. 15-07-48. http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1948/1948%20-%201074.html. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
External links
- The owners' club for the Brockhouse Corgi
- An owners view of the Corgi scooter
- Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands takes delivery of his second Corgi
- Corgi motorcycle advertisement
- Corgi motorcycle advertisement 1950
- Picture of 1948 Corgi motorcycle
- Corgi Excelsior Spryt Mk2
British motorcycle manufacturers Manufacturing in the United Kingdom Current Defunct ABC (1919–1923) · Abingdon (AKD) (1903–1925) · Advance (1905–1947) · AER (1937–1940) · AJW (1928–1976) · AJS Motorcycles Ltd (1909-2000) · Ambassador (1946–1964) · Ariel (1902–1970) · Armstrong (1980–1987) · Ascot-Pullin (1928–1930) · AMC (1937–1966) · Baker (1927–1930) · Bat (1902–1926) · Baughan (1920–1936) · Beardmore Precision (1914–1930) · Blackburne (1913–1922) · Bradbury (1902–1924) · Brough (1908–1926) · Brough Superior (1919–1940) · BSA (1919–1972) · Calthorpe (1909–1939) · Chater-Lea (1900–1936) · Clyno (1909–1923) · Corgi (1946–1954) · Cotton (1918–1980) · Coventry-Eagle (1901–1939) · Coventry-Victor (1919–1936) · DMW (1945–1971) · DOT (1908–1978) · Douglas (1907–1957) · Dunelt (1919–1935) · Duzmo (1919–1923) · EMC (1947–1977) · Excelsior (1896–1964) · Francis-Barnett (1919–1966) · Greeves (1953–1976) · Haden (1912–1924) · Healey (1971–1977) · Hesketh (1981–1988) · Humber (1898–1930) · HRD (1922–1928) · Ivy (1911–1934) · James (1902–1966) · JAP (1903–1939) · Levis (1911–1939) · Martinsyde (1919–1923) · Matchless (1899–1966, 1988–90) · McEvoy (1926–1929) · Montgomery (1902–1939) · Ner-a-Car (1921–1926) · New Hudson (1903–1958) · New Imperial (1901–1939) · Norman (1935–1963) · Norton-Villiers (1966–1972) · Norton Villiers Triumph (1972–1978) · NUT (1912–1933) · OEC (1901–1954) · OK-Supreme (1882–1940) · P&P (1922–1930) · Premier (1908–1921) · Panther (1904–1967) · Quasar (1975–1982) · Quadrant (1901–1928) · Raleigh (1899–1967) · Rex-Acme (1899–1933) · Rickman (1960–1975) · Rover (1902–1924) · Royal Enfield (1893–1971) · Rudge (1911–1946) · Scott (1908–1965) · Silk (1976–1979) · Singer (1900–1915) · Sprite (1964–1974) · Sun (1911–1961) · Triumph (1885–1983) · Sunbeam (1912–1964) · Velocette (1904–1968) · Villiers (1898–1966) · Vincent-HRD (1928–1959) · Wilkinson (1911–1916) · Wooler (1909–1954) · Zenith (1905–1950)Categories:- Motorcycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom
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