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Lanchester Cars

Heartland

Heartland

master brummie
For those who visited the Classic Car Show at the NEC last weekend, there was an opportunity to talk to the author of books on Lanchester.

This firm began in Birmingham and Frederick Lanchester was the first to build an internal combustion car in the UK. He did it in Birmingham and with his brothers set up an iconic brand.

His main manufacturing sites came to be at Liverpool Street (Alpha Works), Montgomery Street (building still stands), Fallows Road and Spring Road. The laboratory was at Spring Road

If google earth is correct the Spring Road buildings (right) looks to be the original Lanchester slant roof structure-
SpringR2.jpg
 
According to the Birmingham Mail on Saturday Frederick's house is up for sale. It is in Oxford Road Moseley and has a blue plaque. It backs onto his brother George's house (Green plaque) in Dyott Road.
 
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pjmburns said:
According to the Birmingham Mail on Saturday Frederick's house is up for sale. It is in Oxford Road Moseley and has a lie plaque. It backs onto his brother George's house (Green plaque) in Dyott Road.
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I live a short distance from the 'Lanchester' houses. It looks like it was used as a small scale manufacturing base at some stage.
 
The Lanchester Car manufacturing story is quite complex and eventually linked closely to that of Daimler. The Alpha Works in Liverpool Street bordered the Warwick & Birmingham Canal and was the coach building side of the business. In those days wood formed the basic fabric of the vehicle, and Lanchester employed trimmers to ensure a good quality product.

During the First World War, Lanchester made munitions at a new works in Formans Road, near Spring Road, and used these premises after the war for coach building. The Alpha Works was taken over by a light car maker, Ashton- Evans, for a few years. Formans Road became the Lucas Battery Factory from 1923 and Lanchester car body making appears to have been moved back to the main factory in Montgomery Street where Lanchester had both the Armourer Mills and the Radix Works. This particular move, however, deserves further comment as this period was also marked through the introduction of pressed steel bodies into car manufacture generally and there were firms that came to specialise in steel body work.

Lanchester's car making days in Birmingham lasted until 1931 when production of new models was transferred to Coventry. They also had part of the Matchless Works in Fallows Road, These works were formerly owned by Alldays and Onions. Here they made motor cars, railway inspection cars and railcars, before Lanchester occupied the factory for vehicle repairs.
 
In 1940's a neighbour had a "Lanchester". Not sure what model, it was 70 years ago! Seemed a bit upmarket for a council house.
 
devonjim said:
In 1940's a neighbour had a "Lanchester". Not sure what model, it was 70 years ago! Seemed a bit upmarket for a council house.
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I am not suggesting that it really was this way, but you post reminds me of the midland expression "kippers and curtains" :D
 
I notice the firm is being brought into fiction as well. In the latest episode of Peaky blinders, Tommy shelby is reputed to own teh "Lanchester Car & Lorry firm" (together with the firm "Saltley & Cadbury", also mentioned, it would have made an intriguing ownership)
 
I live by the Lanchester House & it's had a bit of a chequered history. As originally built, the two storey centre portion (now 128B + 128C) was the original house. The building to the left (now 128D) was the original garage. The building to the right (now 128A) was a later extension - garage at the front with large library behind with a lantern roof. After Mrs Lanchester moved to Blenheim Road after the death of her husband the house was converted into 4 flats in 1948. All much spoiled & altered. Lets hope the purchaser of 128B + 128C (upstairs flat) restores it appropriately. Conservation area status doesn't seem to mean much anymore, at least in Moseley!
 
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A vintage Lanchaster car being driven out of the original factory at Montgomery Street, Small Heath.

Sparkbrook Montgomery St.jpg
 
The green plaques for the Lanchester Brothers are in the St Agnes Conseravation Area in Moseley.

Frederick Lanchester is at 128 Oxford Road.





George Lanchester is round the corner at 30 Dyott Road.



 
IMG_0998.JPG I live just around the corner from this place, so took this one as I was passing today. It always looked to me as if all three building were part of the same establishment
 
Thanks Dave. I thought it was all one when built and split after Frederick's death when his wife moved out.
 
Can't help but refer members back to post 8 above!

Couple of points.
When the houses in Oxford Road were numbered (early 1920s?), there were only 2 houses there. These were numbered 128 & 130. When the Lanchester house was built [infill] it was numbered 128A. When it was split into 4 "flats" they were numbered 128A, 128B, 128C & 128D. I think "Dyott End" may have been a vanity name.

I live next door at 128 - you can imagine the problems over the years with badly addressed post, new postmen, private hire cars banging their horns outside our house. couriers............. oh! & the occasional Japanese tourist!

The chances of the Lanchester house becoming a museum are nil. Lack of money & perhaps lack of recognition in Birmingham for the genius of Prof. Lanchester.

This is an extract from the Lanchester Museum website at Coventry Uni. at https://www.lanchesterinteractive.org/
For some years the main holder of Lanchester information worldwide has been Coventry University’s Lanchester Library, housed in the iconic Frederick Lanchester Building. Coventry University presents the Lanchester Trust’s annual Student Prize and is creating Masters degrees based on Lanchester’s aeronautical theories. The Library’s impressive Lanchester collection includes photos, correspondence, notebooks, sketch books, patents, blueprints, hardback books, magazines, press cuttings, audio and visual discs, and so much more. Many of these items and artefacts have been donated by myself, members of the Lanchester family, and others.
The Lanchester Museum in the library building opened earlier this year. Hoping to visit soon. A must for Lanchester Car enthusiasts I think.
 
I have re-read #8 and am confused. Which part became 128C? As originally built, the two storey centre portion (now 128A + B) was the original house. The building to the left (now 128D) was the original garage. The building to the right (now 128A) was a later extension.... Is it the central part which is now for sale?
 
Hi pjmburns - my fault. Post no 8 should have read:

As originally built, the two storey centre portion (now 128B + C) was the original house.

When turned into flats 128B was downstairs & 128C upstairs. Both 128B + C are now for sale ie the central two storey part.

My apols.
 
Heartland said:
During the First World War, Lanchester made munitions at a new works in Formans Road, near Spring Road, and used these premises after the war for coach building. The Alpha Works was taken over by a light car maker, Ashton- Evans, for a few years. Formans Road became the Lucas Battery Factory from 1923
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I take it this building is the one still standing in Formans Road, now a meat warehouse?
 
superdad3 said:
Hi pjmburns - my fault. Post no 8 should have read:

As originally built, the two storey centre portion (now 128B + C) was the original house.

When turned into flats 128B was downstairs & 128C upstairs. Both 128B + C are now for sale ie the central two storey part.

My apols.
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Thanks. All now clear. Hope they can be put back as one.
 
I take it this building is the one still standing in Formans Road, now a meat warehouse?
Am I correct in my thoughts?
 
A little history of the Lanchesters and their cars. From the Birmingham Daily Post in February 1970 (obituary about George) and in August 1960 (obituary about Frank)l Viv.
 

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Davidsteam said:
I take it this building is the one still standing in Formans Road, now a meat warehouse?
Am I correct in my thoughts?
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David
The 'meat warehouse' was part of Lucas, Formans Rd altho' on Google it looks refurbished. It was occupied by the Diecasting & Plastic Moulding divisions & also Lucas Transport. The Battery factory occupied the demolished area between the warehouse & Al Furgan (Formans Rd) School. I seem to remember a new battery manufacturing facility being built alongside or on the old brickworks/clay quarry located behind the meat warehouse in the early '70's.
John
 
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