New Hudson (company)

The New Hudson company was originally started in 1890 by George Patterson, the original idea of the company was to build bicycles. By 1903 the Birmingham factory was producing motorized bicycles using Minerva engines. By 1909, their first motorcycles produced were using JAP engines. By 1920 they were seeing success in racing at the Isle of man TT and Brooklands. In 1927, Bert Le Vack took over racing development and was the first rider to complete a lap at over 100 mph on a 500cc machine at Brooklands. They began to manufacture their own Single valve and OHV single cylinder engines and produced a 212cc two stroke motorcycles using a Levis engine. Times became tough for Patterson after 1 of his sons died in WW1 and the other had lost a leg. The family sold the factory to HJ Bructon after WW1. New Hudson also produced 3 wheelers using MAG engines. New Hudson was taken over by BSA cycles in the late 1920s and by 1933 had ceased all production of motorcycles. In 1929 the company purchased the Girling brake patent from the inventor Albert Girling, to supply brake systems to Ford, Austin, Rover and Riley.[1] The factory continued to produce Girling brakes and suspension components. In 1940 the New Hudson autocycle was produced but later rebadged as a BSA.

New Hudson
New Hudson 3,5-4 HP 500 cc SV 1914
New Hudson 1924
New Hudson 1929.jpg

In 1943 New Hudson was purchased by Joseph Lucas Limited (including the Girling patent) and combined with Lucas's Bendix Brake interests, which Lucas had acquired in 1931, and Luvax Shock Absorber to form Girling Limited.[2]

Automobiles
ModelPeriodCylinderCapacity
4½ hp1912–19141737 cm³
Tricycle1919-19242 V1250 cm³

Bicycles

New Hudson bicycles were produced in Birmingham, initially at the St George's Works, and latterly at BSA's Waverley Works. By the 1950s, New Hudson bicycles were simply badge engineered versions of the BSA bicycle range. In 1957, when BSA was taken over by Raleigh Industries, New Hudson bicycles were too and remained in production - this time as re-badged Raleigh bicycles - until at least 1976.

A very rare 1954 BSA built New Hudson Meriden de Luze Tourist, model G12RLES. It was the top model in the New Hudson bicycle range and featured a BSA 3 speed hub gear, BSA Hublite Supreme generator and a BSA Safety Fork Lock. It is a rebadged BSA Regency model. This example is in BSA Bayard Maroon.

See also

References

[3]

  1. "FAQs". Brakewarehouse.com. Retrieved 22 May 2006.
  2. "EMCC case studies - Trends and drivers of change in the European automotive industry: TRW Automotive" (PDF). European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2006. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. https://cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/new-hudson.htm



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