These pages are dedicated to all models of the New Hudson Motor Cycles and Autocycles built in their Birmingham factory between 1902 and 1957. Our thanks to Eric Londesbrough who conceived the idea of a dedicated web site for the marque (and others) and who has diligently compiled this knowledge and information into the following page. Eric is the marque specialist for New Hudson for the VMCC and has considerable knowledge and experience of New Hudson.
Within these pages you will be able to find out a little of the history of the New Hudson motor cycles, information about Eric Londesbrough himself, his passion for the subject and how he became knowledgeable in this field. There is a section detailing several services that the VMCC or Eric is able to provide for owners and restorers of New Hudson Motor Cycles and Autocycles. The gallery page has several photographs of New Hudson motor cycles and autocycles, including many sent in from people's own private machines and collections. There is a page dedicated to the latest New Hudson news and information about up and coming rallies and events.
News and Events
Below you will find news items with New Hudson relevance and information about future events that will feature New Hudson motor cycles.
News
Book purchase
To purchase a CD of my book please contact the VMCC library.
Oil Pump Glasses and gaskets.
There is now a supplier in U.K. who has Oil pump glasses for New Hudsons (and other makes) and gaskets to seal them.
Adverts
Knee Pads for 1931/2 Models
Great news. The limited batch of Knee Pads for all 1931/2 Models is now available. See for sale section for more details and the gallery for a picture.
Events
If you have any news or event information which may be of interest to visitors of this site, please get in touch with us with the details.
History
The New Hudson marque began in the late 1800's as a bicycle factory in Birmingham, England. The owner, George Patterson, made his first motorcycle in 1902, but as it was not a sales success, no more motor cycles were produced until 1910. From 1910 to 1932; with the exception of years 1915 to 1919 when WWI meant only munitions and bicycles were made; motorcycle production averaged about 2000 each year. The company were always keen on gaining success in motor cycle sport and gained many good results. However lacking the finances of larger companies their best result in the Isle of Man TT was Jimmy Guthrie's second place in the Senior event in 1927.
1932 Model 32 de Luxe 350 cc
In 1932 due to the depression motor cycle production ceased as it was no longer profitable. However, the company continued to make bicycles, and also diversified into making the Girling brake systems for cars.
In 1940 the bicycle factory began to produce an autocycle with a 98cc Villiers engine which was a success. The bicycle factory was purchased by BSA in 1943 and production continued under the New Hudson name. The Girling brake factory passed into the ownership of Joseph Lucas. After the second World War B.S.A. continued to make autocycles bearing the New Hudson name until 1957.
The full history of New Hudson can be found in the book "New Hudson, The History of a Motor Cycle Company" by Eric Londesbrough. Unfortunately all copies of the printed book have now been sold, but we can supply it in electronic format on CD which can be read on almost any modern computer. It is fully illustrated showing nearly all New Hudson models. Please contact the VMCC Library for further information.
The New Hudson Factory
Icknield Street factory redevelopment.
Main entrance to the office area. The Icknield Street side is covered in polythene.
The entrance to the offices.
The Hope Street side
Services and Support Items
Support items
We support owners and people interested in the New Hudson range of motor cycles as much as possible. In this role, we are able to offer the following services:
Accurate dating of any New Hudson Model
For accurateage dating of your New Hudson model we suggest you contact our library services who will be able to help. We also have parts catalogues, factory records and many other documents. Contact our marque specialist for advice on repair and restoration, colour schemes etc. for all models from 1910 to 1932, and also on all New Hudson autocycles from 1940 to 1957.Patterns are available for New Hudson footboards, and leg shields, and drawings of some other parts.Spare parts for New Hudsons are often very difficult to find so a small list of items is kept which owners on the register may wish to sell or exchange. You may also like to visit the Spare Parts section of this page.
Book
Eric has written a book entitled "New Hudson, The History of a Motor Cycle Company" of which all printed copies have long since been sold. However, copies can still be obtained in electronic (PDF) format on CD, which can be read on just about all modern computers. To request a copy on CD, please contact the Library who will be happy to assist.
Bike Tracing Service
As many New Hudson owners have come to find this site since it started in 2009. If you have a New Hudson you would like to find or you are able to provide information about any machine listed below, please get in touch.
A member of VMCC wishes to trace a machine originally owned by his father. This machine is not currently on Eric's register, so please get in touch if you can assist with its current whereabouts.
Details of the motor bike are:
- 1921 211cc two stroke
- Frame number T191
- Engine number 21/3352
- Reg Number XK5017
1921 211cc two stroke machine, Reg Number XK5017, trying to be located.
Micellaneous Pictures
Eric Londesbrough
Eric does not like the term expert as there is always more to learn on any subject. However, he has researched the New Hudson Company and its motor cycles and autocycles for over thirty years, and is the long standing Marque Specialist for VMCC Ltd. He is keen to find another enthusiast for the marque to hand over this role to and to learn from Eric before its too late. If you are interested in New Hudson Motor Cycles and wish to take over the role as marque specialist please get in touch with Eric or the VMCC.Eric has probably accumulated more knowledge and information about New Hudson than is likely to be easily found elsewhere. He also has a large library of New Hudson literature and maintained a register of over three hundred New Hudson machines and their world wide owners.His book "New Hudson - The History of a Motor Cycle Company" was published in 1999 and though out of print, it is now available as a CD from the VMCC Library.
When Eric found my first New Hudson there was little information available and his research was initially to enable him to restore it. This soon became a life time interest involving travel to many libraries, museums, and archives, and contacting and sometimes meeting with long retired employees of the company. He was lucky enough to meet with a member of the Patterson family (the original owners of the Company) and to have contact with others.
Much help came from Reg Taylor, Bert Le Vack's racing mechanic, the great rider Tommy Bullus, and the Langton family. Eric was appointed Marque Specialist for VMCC, and having published his book has been accepted as something of a world wide authority on New Hudson.
Sadly, after many years as the New Hudson Marque specialist, Eric is no longer well enough to fulfil this task and has stepped down from this role. Please do not attempt to contact him regarding matters related to the marque. Our thanks go to Eric for his years of service in this regard and hope that at least some of his knowledge has been captured here for future generations to benefit from.
All images and photographs on this web site are copyright VMCC except where otherwise indicated. You may use these for personal use only, but consent in writing from VMCC is required before you may use any text, images or photographs on this site for profit, commercial use or use in the public domain in any form.