Beschreibung:

The Belsize Motor & Engineering Company was founded in Manchester in 1902, though the first cars to bear the name had appeared the preceding year, built by Marshall & Company, also of Manchester. Modern in conception, the first Belsize featured shaft drive and a twin-cylinder Buchet engine equipped with mechanical inlet valves at a time when many of its rivals relied on the inefficient ‘atmospheric’ type. A larger three-cylinder 20hp model was offered at this time and then in 1906 an overhead-valve ‘six’ was announced. However, it was Belsize’s more modest smaller cars that established its reputation. These were powered by conventional four-cylinder sidevalve engines built in unit with the transmission, and had shaft final drive. Larger models continued to be catalogued after WWI and then in 1921 a true light car was added to the range, powered by a 1.1-litre ‘oil-cooled’ v-twin engine designed by Granville Bradshaw. Despite the lack of success of this first Belsize-Bradshaw, that name came to be applied to models by 1924. Sadly, the marque did not survive the post-war economic downturn and was gone by 1926. This car’s 8’ 1” wheelbase indicates that it is a 10/12hp model with 1,945cc (69x130mm) four-cylinder engine, most probably dating from around 1914, and not a 2,732cc-engined model made in 1909 as recorded on the accompanying Swansea V5. Characteristic features of the 10/12hp Belsize included gravity petrol feed, thermo-syphon cooling, leather cone clutch, three-speed gearbox and worm drive rear axle. It is believed that the car was sold new in Ireland to a titled gentleman who was killed in The First World War. After decades in storage it was brought to Glasgow in the 1950s and first licensed there in October 1964, being used subsequently for various runs and rallies. Described as in ‘non-running’ condition and sold strictly as viewed (the lamps and mascot are believed missing), this rare Edwardian light car is offered with old-style logbook and Swansea V5 registration document.