Brockhouse Corgi
1950 Origin: Southport Dates: 1947 – 1954. The bike’s origins go back to the Second World War, when the Special Operations Executive (SOE) designed a small and light bike that could be parachuted out of planes with paratroopers. This model was named after the small, short-legged Corgi dog and, in
BMC Mini
1972 The Mini means different things to different people. It’s variously been seen as a cheap runaround, a Sixties fashion icon, a legend on racetracks and even a movie star in films such as The Italian Job and The Bourne Ultimatum. The name Mini did not appear by itself immediately
BMW 327
1938 Formed in 1916, BMW built aircraft engines. The design of their famous badge is based on the rotating blades of an aeroplane, painted blue and white, the state colours of Bavaria. Car manufacturing started when BMW bought the Dixi Motor Company, which had a licence to build the Austin
Brough Superior SS80
1936 ORIGIN: Nottingham DATES: 1922 – 1940 This is the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles, a high-performance, supreme-quality bike with a price tag to match – when it was built in 1936, this bike cost £100, equivalent to about half a year’s salary. For this money, though, you could be sure of
BSA 3.5hp
1913 ORIGIN: Small Heath Birmingham DATE: 1910 – 1973 The formation of BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) can be traced back to the Crimean War in the 1860s, when the British government of the day established an ordnance factory to supply arms to the troops. The company started building motorcycles in
Ferguson Grey
The Ferguson was manufactured by Harry Ferguson from 1946 until 1956, and was affectionately known as the Little Grey Fergie. It marked a major advance in tractor design, distinguished by its light weight, small size, manoeuvrability and versatility. Its simplicity and affordability made it popular with small-scale farmers, and it
Fiat 500 Topolino
Dante Giacosa was asked by FIAT in 1934 to design a low cost car. When launched in 1936 the 500 sold for 8,800 Lire (£120 in the UK), it had a top speed of 53 mph and did 48 miles to the gallon. The tiny car was universally pet-named Topolino,