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This was mainly a car show but some great looking and beautifully restored bikes were on show there too…
Triumph Tiger Cub, classic first ‘big’ bike in the 60’s and 70’s
One of several perfectly presented Triumph twins on show
This one was probably the best of them though and looked better than the day it rolled off the track at Meridan
Now everybody has Chinese made 125 & 250s that blow up, we used to make our own that blew up you know…I give you the BSA C15
Now everybody has Chinese made Monkey Bikes, we used to make our own you know…
Norton Commando, great name, it would be brilliant to see it return in a real sense like the reborn Triumph brand
The owners were all friendly and I had a good natter with the owner of this US spec Bonnie
A young display team of lads and lasses put on a spirited show for the crowdA good day out and well done to Sandwell Council for putting it on.
Hang on I have googled it…
Brief History of the Marque: Corgi
Made in England 1942-1948Excelsior built the Welbike for the British armed forces to be used by air commandos and paratroopers. Powered by a 98cc Villiers Sprite two-stroke engine the scooter had 12.5 inch wheels and a folding control column, and was extremely compact, having been designed to fit inside a cylinder of only 15 inches diameter. Weighing in at a mere 70 pounds, they had a range of 90 miles and could achieve 30mph.
The Welbike gained its original name from a secret SOE establishment in Welwyn, Hertfordshire, which was also responsible for the Welsub and the Welrod pistol. Developments of this cute but deadly little weapon are still in use by special forces to this day.
Brockhouse Engineering of Southport built the Welbike-inspired Corgi. These were exported to the United States from 1947 to 1954 where they were sold by a department store (possibly Sears), and were also rebadged as the Indian Papoose. At this time the Indian marque was owned by Brockhouse.
One of these diminutive machines was ridden across the American continent. They were also used by the US Air Force during the Korean War for use by maintenance personnel, and were often kept aboard aircraft for use in moving around the bases.
The Corgi was reputedly named in honour of the low-slung dogs so favoured by the English monarchy.
Corgis were also available with sidecars built by Brockhouse, KVP, Feridax and Vodac.
There is a book on the marque by Peter Miller: From Welbike to Corgi
ISBN 0 9530683 07Source:
https://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/corgi.htmWow, will save that one for the next pub quiz. Nice to know we had a monkey bike all those years ago.
The description says “it was designed to fit in a cylinder if 15 inches diameter”. Great but unless you own a tank, who carries a cylinder that big around with them?
The 15″ tube was what they where contained in when parachuted out of aircraft during the latter part of The Second World War.
The one above is on show at the Aerospace Museum at Cosford.
One of the tubes in action…check out from 1:53
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