Port Talbot Steel Works Corgi

The first solo ride I had on a motorcycle was on a Corgi so I've got something of a soft spot for them. I'm not alone in that, they are fairly desirable nowadays and the cheeky appeal of them is quite widespread it seems. A number were bought as factory / worksite runabouts (though quite why anyone really thought they would be more fit for purpose than a simple bicycle is beyond me...) and some were even used on ships.

This particular Corgi is at the Port Talbot Steel Works (currently Tata Steel) in Wales. The photo is annotated 'New method of transport. AP 1950' on the reverse.

Port Talbot Steel Works Corgi 1950.

Modern British Motorcycles

This little album of collectors cards was published in 1953 by ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents). Obviously enough the aim of the album was to impart hints and tips for safe riding; it's a cute little publication though and gives a nice cross-section of the products of the British motorcycle industry at the time.

Click on each page to get a larger, better resolution image. 

Corgi Mk IV 1952

The Mk IV was the final iteration of the Corgi scooter. Surprisingly a fair bit of effort was made in improvements over the previous versions. A stronger square tube frame, front suspension, a two speed gearbox and legshield were the main alterations. Despite this the main issue was that the Corgi was woefully primitive compared to the offerings from Italy and Brockhouse's Corgi struggled on in production until 1954. These late Mk IVs are now fairly rare and were also available in polychromatic blue and bronze in addition to the traditional black with burgundy tank. A good number were exported to the States and sold as Indian Papooses. A slightly undignified offering for the once great Indian brand. Don't ever confuse Corgi's with the military Welbike, Corgi's were never used by the military as parabikes despite some folks' penchant for restoring them in military drab... 

Unusually this brochure has the spec sheet translated in to both French and Spanish. 

Mk IV Corgi brochure 1952 front cover.

Mk IV Corgi brochure 1952 inner pages.

Mk IV Corgi brochure 1952 rear fold.

Mk IV Corgi brochure 1952 rear fold.

Corgi scooter J.O. Conversion

Flyer for the 1950 J.O Conversion to make your Corgi look like a proper scooter. Jack Olding offered a range of accessories for the Corgi.

Indian Brave brochure 1955

The once noble Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company of Springfield, Massachusetts had to endure many an ignominy before reaching the current revival. The first of these was at the hands of the British Brockhouse company who bought the rights to the name after Indian went under in 1953.

Brockhouse was a heavyweight engineering company who had already dabbled in motorcycles in a small way with the Corgi scooter. After purchase of the Indian name the Corgi was marketed in the States under the Indian brand as the Papoose model. The next step was the Brave.

The Brave was sold primarily on price and was notable for having a sidevalve motor of 250cc when other manufacturers had moved away from that format to overhead valves or two strokes. Also noteworthy was the Indian's woeful lack of power, one can only speculate in disbelief over how appalling the performance must have been when hitched to the optional sidecar. Despite all this the Indian Brave is now sought after (just shows the power of branding folks!). This brochure dates from 1955; the over-egging of the 'Red' Indian Brave connection is hugely crass to modern eyes. 

Brockhouse were later responsible for bringing Royal Enfield motorcycles in to the States under the Indian brand.

Front cover of the 1955 Indian Brave brochure. The 'S' in
Model 'S' is for spring frame.

It's a fold out brochure. Apologies
for cutting it up in the scan but it
was the only way to do it.

'No reservations about this Indian' - eugh!

Last scan of the centre fold out.

Rear cover of the 1955 Indian Brave brochure.

Corgi scooter brochure 1950

A charming brochure for the 1950 British made Corgi folding scooter. Unusual to see a multi-lingual brochure, perhaps they were anticipating strong export sales or perhaps, and more probably, they didn't have the budget for completely separate translated brochures.

As a total aside the shop which has stamped the brochure, Dacombe Cycle Agent of Wimborne features in the Wimborne Minster model town to this day!

1950 Corgi brochure front cover.

1950 Corgi brochure page 1.

1950 Corgi brochure page 2.

1950 Corgi brochure outer flap.

1950 Corgi brochure inner flap.

1950 Corgi brochure rear cover.