Bespoke body on Daimler Dolphin, 1940
Charlesworth Bodies Limited of Much Park Street, Coventry owned a coachbuilding business founded in 1907 by three partners, Gray, Hill and Steane.[1]
Principal product[]
They manufactured bodies in short runs for low volume manufacturers such as MG, Alvis, Armstrong Siddeley (at Parkside by Charlesworth[2]), Brough Superior and Lea-Francis as well as on mass-market chassis like Hillman and Singer. They also made bespoke bodies on chassis like Daimler. Light commercial bodies such as vans were also provided.[2]
Sale[]
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MG VA tourer of 1938
When fabric bodies were in fashion in the 1920s and early 1930s they held a licence from Weymann The business was advertised for sale "as a going concern" in April 1927 "due to the death of a director". The description states that the premises are freehold and contain approximately 6,000 square yards situated in the heart of the city, equipped with all modern machinery for carrying on the trade. "The business shows substantial profits over a considerable period."[3] In 1931 the company was liquidated and a new owner of the business incorporated, Charlesworth Bodies (1931) Limited, which was soon permitted to drop the (1931).
The Charlesworth house style of the early 1930s was low rooflines with compound curves and deep moulded waistlines.[2]
World War II[]
During World War II they manufactured aircraft components and their operations included a factory in Gloucestershire and Cecil Kimber was then among their staff. In the spring of 1946 a series of small display advertisements offer "Superior Car Renovation" in the light of the postwar car shortage.[4]
Brian Smith in The Daimler Tradition says Charlesworth did make bodies in the postwar years, certainly a few Daimlers of various sizes. It appears their records have been destroyed since they went out of business around 1950.[5]
The Burlington Carriage Company Limited, (associated with Siddeley-Deasy) though independent, operated from an office in Charlesworth's premises at Parkside around the time of World War I then became an Armstrong Siddeley subsidiary.[6]
References[]
- ↑ http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=GP07&CarID=r103
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bill Smith, Armstrong Siddeley Motors: The Cars, The . . ., Veloce, Dorchester UK, 2005 ISBN 978-1-904-78836-2
- ↑ Display Advertisements. The Times, Friday, Apr 29, 1927; pg. 12; Issue 44568.
- ↑ Charlesworth Bodies Limited. The Times, Tuesday, Mar 12, 1946; pg. 3; Issue 50398
- ↑ Brian E Smith, The Daimler Tradition, Transport Bookman, Isleworth UK, 1980 ISBN 085184 014 0
- ↑ Siddeley Deasy Motor Car Company Limited records, ref PA1060, Coventry Archives
External links[]
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