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The Maudslay Motor Company was a British vehicle maker based in Coventry. It was founded in 1901 and continued until 1948 when it was taken over by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and along with Crossley Motors the new group was renamed Associated Commercial Vehicles (ACV) Ltd.

Early history

The Maudslay Motor Company was founded in 1901 by Walter Henry Maudslay, grandson of the eminent engineer Henry Maudslay to make marine internal combustion engines at a factory in Parkside, Coventry.^[1] He was joined by his son Cyril Charles Maudslay and his nephew Reginald Walter Maudslay, who left in 1903 to found the Standard Motor Company.^[2]

The marine engines did not sell very well, and in 1902 they made their first engine intended for a car which was fitted to chain-drive chassis. The three-cylinder engine, designed by Alexander Craig,^[2] was an advanced unit with a single overhead camshaft and pressure lubrication. Also In 1902, Maudslay Motors made a petrol railway locomotive for the City of London Corporation to draw trucks from the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway to the Corporation meat market at Deptford, this requiring 50 tons to be drawn up a gradient of 1 in 36. It was fitted with a three-cylinder engine developing 85 bhp at 450 rpm, with cylinders of 9inch bore and stroke. Transmission was via a 2-speed change gear. The locomotive weighed 12 tons, and was provided with an 8 hp auxiliary engine which was used to start the main engine.^[3] This was the first commercially successful petrol locomotive in the world.^[4]

The three-cylinder engine was followed in 1903 by a six-cylinder version, possibly the first overhead-camshaft six to go into production.^[2] For 1904 a range of cars was on offer from 25hp to 60hp, including one with a 9.6-litre version of the six-cylinder engine.^[5] The cars were among the most expensive on the British market, with the range and engine types continuing to evolve during this time.

In addition to cars, the company expanded into manufacture of commercial vehicles, ranging from small two-cylinder delivery vans to six ton lorries. The first Maudslay double decker buses were produced in 1905, being used by Scottish Motor Traction^[6] and the London Road Car Company.^[7] The Great Western Railway operated Maudslay buses and lorries in this period.^[5] In 1912 Maudslay supplied a 40 hp (30 kW) engine to power an early petrol-electric railcar.^[8]

World War I

Private car production stopped with the outbreak of war. Five- and six-ton "A Type" lorries had been supplied to the British War Office in 1913, and these, along with a three-ton model, became the main product during hostilities. In addition, aircraft undercarriages were made, as well as reconditioning work carried out on radial engines. Production of complete engines was started in 1918, but the contract was cut short by the Armistice.^[8]^[9]

Inter-War Years

Despite the advent of peace in 1918, private car building was not resumed, apart from a solitary example of an advanced sports car, shown at the 1923 London Motor Show.^[5] A new forward control chassis (designated as "CP") was launched in 1923, being used for lorries and buses, with various other models being introduced over the following years. ^[10] Despite this, sales gradually fell during the 1930s, with total sales of only 21 chassis in 1937. ^[11] By 1939 a total of just over 2,000 Maudslay commercial vehicles had been manufactured. ^[11]

World War II and after

All civilian vehicle production stopped in 1939, and the company turned out general service vehicles, tank and aircraft components. In 1941, virtually all production was transferred to a new works at Great Alne, near Alcester to escape air raids.^[8]

However, some production remained in Coventry, and when the factory was bombed in the Coventry Blitz several people were killed there.^[12]

The Great Alne works would be known as Castle Maudslay. Automotive production remained at this site for many years. During the 1990s brakes and axles for automotive manufactures like Volvo and Renault heavy vehicles were produced there, and ArvinMeritor, the company that once owned the Castle Maudslay site, maintained a small office and manufacturing facility there until the site was eventually demolished and became 'Great Alne Park', a retirement housing development, in 2017.

A completely new range of heavy vehicles with 4, 6 and 8 wheel chassis as well as luxury coaches was introduced. Castle Maudslay at Alcester would make components, and these would be taken to the Parkside, Coventry works for vehicle assembly.

Merger

In 1948, Maudslay joined AEC and Crossley in the new Associated Commercial Vehicles (ACV) Ltd.^[13]^[14] The name was kept on at first, but in 1950 it was phased out. The Maudslay plants continued to assemble AEC-designed models in the 1950s and there were some badge-engineered Maudslays to give AEC extra space at Motor Shows. After the formation of Leyland Motor Corporation the Castle Maudslay plant produced axles; Rockwell bought it in the late 1970s.

In 1942, three of Henry Maudslay's grandsons commemorated their grandfather's name by forming the Maudslay Society, an organisation to encourage young engineers.[1]

References

^ Ward, Rod (2018). AEC Album - Part Two: after 1945 - Plus the Maudslay story. Zeteo Publishing. p. 6. OCLC 1082957062.
^ ^a ^b ^c Georgano, N. (2000). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: HMSO. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.
^ The Automotor Journal, 19 March 1904, p349
^ Webb, Brian (1973). The British Internal Combustion Locomotive 1894-1940. David & Charles. ISBN 0715361155.
^ ^a ^b ^c Ward 2018, p.6
^ "A Scottish Success". The Commercial Motor. 31 December 1908. p. 5.
^ Ward, 2018, p.7
^ ^a ^b ^c Proud Inheritance. London: ACV. 1948. ISBN none.
^ Ward 2018, p.9
^ Ward 2018, p.9
^ ^a ^b Ward 2018, p.11
^ "Family Tree Researcher: Coventry Blitz Victims details: Surnames beginning 'C'".
^ "A.E.C. offer to Maudslay". The Commercial Motor. 23 April 1948. p. 24.
^ Ward 2018, p.16

External links

[:0-1] Ward, Rod (2018). AEC Album - Part Two: after 1945 - Plus the Maudslay story. Zeteo Publishing. p. 6. OCLC 1082957062.

[Beaulieu-2] Georgano, N. (2000). Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile. London: HMSO. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.

[3] The Automotor Journal, 19 March 1904, p349

[BICL-4] Webb, Brian (1973). The British Internal Combustion Locomotive 1894-1940. David & Charles. ISBN 0715361155.

[:1-5] Ward 2018, p.6

[6] "A Scottish Success". The Commercial Motor. 31 December 1908. p. 5.

[7] Ward, 2018, p.7

[PI-8] Proud Inheritance. London: ACV. 1948. ISBN none.

[9] Ward 2018, p.9

[10] Ward 2018, p.9

[:2-11] Ward 2018, p.11

[12] "Family Tree Researcher: Coventry Blitz Victims details: Surnames beginning 'C'".

[13] "A.E.C. offer to Maudslay". The Commercial Motor. 23 April 1948. p. 24.

[14] Ward 2018, p.16

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@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 [[File:Maudslay 17HP 1910 (5870294021).jpg|thumb|1910 Maudslay 17hp Tourer]]
 [[File:1910 Maudslay 32hp Tourer 5563662721.jpg|thumb|1910 Maudslay 32hp Tourer at [[Coventry Transport Museum]]]]
-The '''Maudslay Motor Company''' was a British vehicle maker based in Coventry.  It was founded in 1902 and continued until 1948 when it was  taken over by the [[Associated Equipment Company]] (AEC) and along with [[Crossley Motors]] the new group was renamed Associated Commercial Vehicles (ACV) Ltd.
+The '''Maudslay Motor Company''' was a British vehicle maker based in Coventry.  It was founded in 1901 and continued until 1948 when it was  taken over by the [[Associated Equipment Company]] (AEC) and along with [[Crossley Motors]] the new group was renamed Associated Commercial Vehicles (ACV) Ltd.
 ==Early history==
-The company was founded by Cyril Charles Maudslay, great grandson of the eminent engineer [[Henry Maudslay]] to make marine internal combustion engines. He was joined by his cousin [[Reginald Walter Maudslay]] who soon left to found the [[Standard Motor Company]].<ref name=Beaulieu>{{cite book |last=Georgano |first=N.|authorlink= G.N. Georgano |title=Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile |year=2000 |publisher=HMSO |location=London |isbn=1-57958-293-1}}</ref>
+The Maudslay Motor Company was founded in 1901 by Walter Henry Maudslay, grandson of the eminent engineer [[Henry Maudslay]] to make marine internal combustion engines at a factory in Parkside, [[Coventry]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Ward |first=Rod |title=AEC Album - Part Two: after 1945 - Plus the Maudslay story |publisher=Zeteo Publishing |year=2018 |isbn= |pages=6 |oclc=1082957062}}</ref> He was joined by his son Cyril Charles Maudslay and his nephew [[Reginald Walter Maudslay]], who left in 1903 to found the [[Standard Motor Company]].<ref name=Beaulieu>{{cite book |last=Georgano |first=N.|authorlink= G.N. Georgano |title=Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile |year=2000 |publisher=HMSO |location=London |isbn=1-57958-293-1}}</ref>
 [[File:1904 Maudsley Petrol Locomotive (de-moiré filtered).jpg|thumb|right|1902 Maudslay Petrol Locomotive]]
-The engines did not sell very well, and in 1902 they made their first engine intended for a car which was fitted to chain-drive chassis. The three-cylinder engine, designed by Alexander Craig,<ref name=Beaulieu/> was an advanced unit with a single overhead camshaft and pressure lubrication. In 1902, Maudslay Motors made a petrol railway locomotive for City of London Corporation to draw trucks from the [[London, Brighton and South Coast Railway]] to the Corporation meat market at Deptford, this requiring 50 tons to be drawn up a gradient of 1 in 36. It was fitted with a three-cylinder engine developing 85&nbsp;bhp at 450 rpm, with cylinders of 9inch bore and stroke. Transmission was via a 2-speed change gear. The locomotive weighed 12 tons, and was provided with an 8&nbsp;hp auxiliary engine which was used to start the main engine.<ref>The Automotor Journal, 19 March 1904, p349</ref> This was the first commercially successful petrol locomotive in the world.<ref name="BICL">{{cite book |title=The British Internal Combustion Locomotive 1894-1940 |author=Webb, Brian |publisher=David & Charles |year=1973 |isbn=0715361155}}</ref>
+The marine engines did not sell very well, and in 1902 they made their first engine intended for a car which was fitted to chain-drive chassis. The three-cylinder engine, designed by Alexander Craig,<ref name=Beaulieu/> was an advanced unit with a single overhead camshaft and pressure lubrication. Also In 1902, Maudslay Motors made a petrol railway locomotive for the [[City of London Corporation]] to draw trucks from the [[London, Brighton and South Coast Railway]] to the Corporation meat market at [[Deptford]], this requiring 50 tons to be drawn up a gradient of 1 in 36. It was fitted with a three-cylinder engine developing 85&nbsp;bhp at 450 rpm, with cylinders of 9inch bore and stroke. Transmission was via a 2-speed change gear. The locomotive weighed 12 tons, and was provided with an 8&nbsp;hp auxiliary engine which was used to start the main engine.<ref>The Automotor Journal, 19 March 1904, p349</ref> This was the first commercially successful petrol locomotive in the world.<ref name="BICL">{{cite book |title=The British Internal Combustion Locomotive 1894-1940 |author=Webb, Brian |publisher=David & Charles |year=1973 |isbn=0715361155}}</ref>
-The three-cylinder engine was followed in 1903 by a six-cylinder version, possibly the first overhead-camshaft six to go into production.<ref name=Beaulieu/>  For 1904 a range of cars was on offer, including one with a 9.6-litre version of the six-cylinder engine.  The cars were among the most expensive on the British market.
+The three-cylinder engine was followed in 1903 by a six-cylinder version, possibly the first overhead-camshaft six to go into production.<ref name=Beaulieu/>  For 1904 a range of cars was on offer from 25hp to 60hp, including one with a 9.6-litre version of the six-cylinder engine.<ref name=":1">Ward 2018, p.6</ref>  The cars were among the most expensive on the British market, with the range and engine types continuing to evolve during this time.
-As well as cars the company made commercial vehicles with the first double decker bus produced in 1905 and a range of trucks varying from small two-cylinder models to six ton models. In 1912 Maudslay supplied a {{convert|40|hp|abbr=on}} engine to power an early petrol-electric railcar.<ref name=PI>{{cite book |last=ACV |first=. |title=Proud Inheritance |year=1948 |publisher=ACV |location=London |id=ISBN none}}</ref>
+In addition to cars, the company expanded into manufacture of commercial vehicles, ranging from small two-cylinder delivery vans to six ton lorries. The first Maudslay double decker buses were produced in 1905, being used by [[Scottish Motor Traction]]<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=31 December 1908 |title=A Scottish Success |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/31st-december-1908/5/the-motor-omnibus-world |magazine=The [[Commercial Motor]] |pages=5}}</ref> and the London Road Car Company.<ref>Ward, 2018, p.7</ref> The [[Great Western Railway]] operated Maudslay buses and lorries in this period.<ref name=":1" /> In 1912 Maudslay supplied a {{convert|40|hp|abbr=on}} engine to power an [[GWR petrol-electric railcar|early petrol-electric railcar]].<ref name=PI>{{cite book |title=Proud Inheritance |year=1948 |publisher=ACV |location=London |id=ISBN none}}</ref>
-A side-valve engine was introduced in 1914.
 ==World War I==
 [[File:Maudslay lorries and wrecked German transport Drocourt-Queant 1918 IWM Q 7064.jpg|thumb|300px|British Maudslay 3-ton lorries parked up alongside the wreckage of German motor transport destroyed by shell fire during Third Army's attack on [[Quéant]], 2 September 1918]]
-Private car production stopped with the outbreak of war. Five- and six-ton lorries had been supplied to the British War Office in 1913, and these, along with a three-ton model, became the main product during hostilities. In addition, aircraft undercarriages were made, as well as reconditioning work carried out on radial engines. Production of complete engines was started in 1918.<ref name=PI/>
+Private car production stopped with the outbreak of war. Five- and six-ton "A Type" lorries had been supplied to the British War Office in 1913, and these, along with a three-ton model, became the main product during hostilities. In addition, aircraft undercarriages were made, as well as reconditioning work carried out on radial engines. Production of complete engines was started in 1918, but the contract was cut short by the Armistice.<ref name=PI/><ref>Ward 2018, p.9</ref>
 ==Inter-War Years==
-Despite the advent of peace in 1918, private car building was not resumed, apart from a solitary example of an advanced sports car, shown at the 1923 London Motor Show. Heavy goods vehicles were the main line and some were modified for passenger carrying.
+Despite the advent of peace in 1918, private car building was not resumed, apart from a solitary example of an advanced sports car, shown at the 1923 London Motor Show.<ref name=":1" /> A new forward control chassis (designated as "CP") was launched in 1923, being used for lorries and buses, with various other models being introduced over the following years. <ref>Ward 2018, p.9</ref> Despite this, sales gradually fell during the 1930s, with total sales of only 21 chassis in 1937. <ref name=":2">Ward 2018, p.11</ref> By 1939 a total of just over 2,000 Maudslay commercial vehicles had been manufactured. <ref name=":2" />
-A breakthrough came in 1924, when a low-level coach chassis was introduced.
-A significant product was the SF40 front-engined coach chassis, with set-back front axle, which came onto the market in 1934. It achieved quite successful sales figures until the advent of World War II.
 ==World War II and after==
+[[File:1948 Maudslay Mogul.jpg|thumb|Preserved 1948 Maudslay Mogul III]]
 All civilian vehicle production stopped in 1939, and the company turned out general service vehicles, tank and aircraft components.  In 1941, virtually all production was transferred to a new works at [[Great Alne]], near [[Alcester]] to escape air raids.<ref name=PI/>
-However, some production remained in Coventry, and when the factory was bombed in the [[Coventry Blitz]] several people were killed there.<ref>http://www.familyresearcher.co.uk/Blitz-Victims/Coventry-Blitz-Victims-detalls-C.html</ref>
+However, some production remained in Coventry, and when the factory was bombed in the [[Coventry Blitz]] several people were killed there.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.familyresearcher.co.uk/Blitz-Victims/Coventry-Blitz-Victims-detalls-C.html|title = Family Tree Researcher: Coventry Blitz Victims details: Surnames beginning 'C'}}</ref>
+The Great Alne works would be known as Castle Maudslay. Automotive production remained at this site for many years. During the 1990s brakes and axles for automotive manufactures like [[Volvo]] and [[Renault Trucks|Renault]] heavy vehicles were produced there, and [[Meritor|ArvinMeritor]], the company that once owned the Castle Maudslay site, maintained a small office and manufacturing facility there until the site was eventually demolished and became 'Great Alne Park', a retirement housing development, in 2017.
-The Great Alne works would be known as Castle Maudslay. Automotive production remains at this site for many years. During the 1990s brakes and axles for automotive manufactures like [[Volvo]] and [[Renault Trucks|Renault]] heavy vehicles were produced there, and [[Meritor|ArvinMeritor]], the company that once owned the Castle Maudslay site, maintained a small office and manufacturing facility there until the site was eventually demolished and is due to become 'Maudslay Park', a housing development (correct at 2014).
 [[File:Preserved Hackett Coaches coach (JNB 416) 1948 Maudslay Marathon II Trans-United, Coventry Transport Museum, 2 April 2011.jpg|thumb|1948 Maudslay Marathon II Trans-United coach at Coventry Transport Museum]]
@@ Line 43: / Line 39: @@
 ==Merger==
-In 1948, Maudslay joined AEC and Crossley in the new Associated Commercial Vehicles (ACV) Ltd.  The name was kept on at first, but in 1950 it was phased out. The Maudslay plants continued to assemble AEC-designed models in the 1950s and there were some badge-engineered Maudslays to give AEC extra space at Motor Shows. After the formation of Leyland Motor Corporation the Castle Maudlsay plant produced axles; [[Arvin Meritor|Rockwell]] bought it in the late 1970s.
+In 1948, Maudslay joined AEC and Crossley in the new Associated Commercial Vehicles (ACV) Ltd.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=23 April 1948 |title=A.E.C. offer to Maudslay |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/23rd-april-1948/24/aec-offer-to-maudslay-d-irectors-of-the-maudslay-m |magazine=The [[Commercial Motor]] |pages=24}}</ref><ref>Ward 2018, p.16</ref>  The name was kept on at first, but in 1950 it was phased out. The Maudslay plants continued to assemble AEC-designed models in the 1950s and there were some badge-engineered Maudslays to give AEC extra space at Motor Shows. After the formation of Leyland Motor Corporation the Castle Maudslay plant produced axles; [[Arvin Meritor|Rockwell]] bought it in the late 1970s.
 In 1942, three of Henry Maudslay's grandsons commemorated their grandfather's name by forming the Maudslay Society, an organisation to encourage young engineers.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110616183230/http://www.britishmm.co.uk/history.asp?id=601]