The Electric & Ordnance Accessories Co. Ltd. [E&OA]/Stellite Cars
Found this a facinating topic but quite difficult to confirm details but here goes.
The company was originally founded back in 1849 to make electrical appliances including various types of electric motor and lighting sets, insulators. The site on Cheston Road was known as the Stellite Works.
Adverts dating from around 1904.
[For a short period around 1900 The British Electric Works Co. Ltd. was based on the same site and manufactured "Stellite Fittings" for bicycles. Not sure if this was a separate entity or not.]
In 1901 E&OA was working with Vickers on special branches of Vickers work.
I think it likely that Stellite brand cars were initially made at the Stellite Works in Aston. Adverts at the time [1908 & 1913] suggest this.
But in 1914 the E&OA constructed a large factory between Drews Lane and Common Lane in Ward End/Washwood Heath. The Ward End Works covered over 65 acres on completion. [Was is ever known as the Ward End Works? Father in law always referred to it as "Drews Lane" - he worked at the Wolseley before WW2]
Stellite Car production commenced in 1914 by E&OE, by then a subsidery of Vickers and to a design by Wolseley. Production was reduced during WW1 but started again soon after.
1918
Stellite car production ceased in 1919 at Drews Lane and the site was used by Wolseley, Morris and untimately LDV. Factory demolished and site cleared for use as the major maintenance and servicing facility for the new HS2 rail link.
Stellite car production was short lived but there are still some lovely preserved examples.
1915 Stelite Roadster.
Built in 1915.
