BELSIZE-BRADSHAW

1921 to 1924

“The car with the oil-cooled engine”

Ian Frost's car 2008

Although cars and later commercial vehicles had been manufactured since 1897 under the name Belsize (they were made at the Belsize Works in Manchester) by Marshall & Company the Belsize-Bradshaw was such a departure from their previous models that it demands to be recorded as a marque in it’s own right. 

The early 1920’s period was one of austerity and the hey-day of the lightcar and cyclecar aimed at bridging the cost (and comforts!) gap between the motor cycle combination and the full blown motor car.  Most of the major manufacturers added such models to their ranges and numerous smaller manufacturers set up in business on the strength of this popularity, which unfortunately proved to be rather short lived.  Belsize were no exception.

Front view	Rear view

For their contribution the, by then, well known Belsize Motors Ltd. of Manchester brought in the celebrated designer Granville Bradshaw to design a completely new vehicle to add to their range of products.  Bradshaw had been responsible for the air-cooled flat twin A.B.C. the Skootamota and a number of motorcycle and aero engines.  This basic model was never intended to be regarded as a sports car and was designed to fit into the economical 9 hp RAC rating for taxation.

It was introduced at the 1921 Automobile Show at Olympia, London, with much publicity and incorporating unconventional design features.  The Motor magazine quoted “---- one of the sensations of the Show”.  This was the age of emancipation and in the publicity which surrounded the new car’s introduction there was frequent reference to it being particularly suited to use by ladies, as well as the family in general.

Instrument panel

Production started early in 1922 and continued throughout 1923 but seems to have dwindled during 1924, by which time the motor industry in Britain was experiencing many problems.  Belsize were amongst the many motor companies which were in receivership by then and in 1926 the company ceased trading altogether.  Low volume and virtually hand built cars simply could not compete on price with the mass production products of companies such as Austin and Morris.  The Austin 7 which was introduced in 1922 was a direct competitor and although the Austin Motor Company was itself in receivership at the time Herbert Austin’s financial acumen won the day.

The chassis and body of the Belsize-Bradshaw were typical for light cars of the period.  The chassis was very basic – formed of pressed steel channels.  The forged front axle beam was brakeless and mounted on leading quarter elliptic springs.  The shaft driven rear axle, which was mounted on trailing quarter elliptic springs, incorporated a differential and internal expanding brakes to each wheel and operated by a foot pedal   No shock absorbers were fitted, but there was a very effective hand operated transmission brake.  The body was a simple two seat tourer, with optional dickey seat, and steel panels over a wood frame.

Engine

Motor industry sales and publicity tactics were as competitive then as now and it was obviously to a manufacturer’s advantage to be able to offer something others could not.  Water cooling and air cooling were both common practice in this type of vehicle but OIL COOLING was unusual and, no doubt, considered good publicity.  Granville Bradshaw was noted for his development work on oil cooled designs and they acquired the nick-name of “oil boilers” which by all accounts was unfair. 

Engine blueprint

It was the engine which attracted so much interest (then as now).  It is a 90 degree V twin of 1372 cc.  The bore is 85 mm and the stroke 121 mm.  The compression ratio is a modest 4 to 1 but was quite suitable for the very low octane petrol available at the time.  Ignition was by magneto and the in unit 3 speed and reverse gearbox was driven through a multi-plate steel clutch.  Apart from the oil cooling is the unusual feature of a shared oil supply for the engine, clutch, gearbox and steering box.  In truth this engine does not rely on oil cooling alone as a fan incorporated in the large forward mounted flywheel directs air through a cast cowl onto the finned detachable cylinder heads.  These engines were made for Belsize by Dorman but had a reputation for overheating and difficult starting.

The car was claimed to be simple in design and very easy to maintain.  Electric lighting (non dipping headlamps) with battery and dynamo were fitted as standard but the electric starter, windscreen wiper and even the speedometer were all extras.  The industry standard “Michelin” disc wheels have 262 by 3” beaded edge pneumatic tyres of motor cycle type.

The total production is uncertain but it seems to have been popular as Georgano quotes between 750 and 1500 cars.  Five cars are known to exist in Britain but only two of them are presently capable of road use.  The one featured here belongs to Ian and Heather Frost with Frost junior in attendance.  The other survivor was known to your scribe as the previous owner used to visit him with it in Hertfordshire in the early 1960’s.  It is believed to be made from the remains of two cars and is painted blue.

Frost father & son

Asked “what is it like to drive” Ian Frost’s reply was “interesting”.