Sheffield-Simplex
Encyclopedia
Sheffield-Simplex was a British car and motor cycle manufacturer operating from 1907 to 1920 based in Sheffield
, Yorkshire, and Kingston upon Thames
, Surrey.
The company received financial backing from the coal magnate Earl Fitzwilliam
. The first few cars were called Brotherhoods and were a continuation of the Brotherhood-Crocker cars made in London in which Earl Fitzwilliam had been an investor. Brotherhood sold the London site in 1905 and moved to Peterborough, but could not get permission to build a car factory so the Earl suggested a move to Sheffield where he built a new factory in Tinsley
.
and Brotherhood. The LA1 had a six cylinder 6978 cc engine and three speed gearbox. It was joined in 1908 by the LA2, intended for lighter open bodies which did without a conventional gear system, having one forward gear and an emergency low and reverse gear in a small gearbox attached to the front of the differential housing. The only remaining example of an LA2 is in private ownership and is seen frequently on rallies in Britain, Ireland and Belgium.
Four smaller cars joined the line up in 1910. The LA3 and long wheelbase LA4 were the babies of the family with a four cylinder engine of 2882 cc, while the LA5 and LA6 had six cylinder 4324 cc power units. These cars lasted only one year and in 1911 were replaced by the LA7 with a six cylinder 4740 cc engine allowing the company to boast that only one other British maker made only six cylinder cars. Sheffield-Simplex considered their only rival to be Rolls-Royce
and even opened their London showroom very close by in Conduit Street .
The LA7 was updated to LA7b specification in 1913 and this included electric starting. In 1914, the old LA1 and 2 models were finally dropped.
During World War I
, the company made armoured cars supplied to the Belgian and Russian armies, ABC Wasp and Dragonfly aircraft engine
s and munitions.
Car production recommenced in 1919 with the LA7b but now called the 30hp. Few were sold and it was replaced by a new design, the 50, in 1920. This had a new engine of 7777 cc with each of its six cylinders cast separately. It appeared at the London Motor Show in 1921 fitted with a two seat body and again in 1922. It is quite probable that it was the only one made.
The final years of car production are a mystery. It seems likely that few were made post World War I and final production might have been in Kingston. About 1500 cars were made in the company's history.
It is believed that at least three cars survive. The unique 50hp car produced in 1920 and exhibited at several motor shows was acqired by the founder of the business, Earl Fitzwilliam, in 1925 after the liquidation of the Sheffield company. This car can be viewed in the Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield from where it is taken to local shows from time to time.
The ex-Lord Riverdale car is in private ownership and also appears at shows in the Yorkshire/Derbyshire area.
motor cycles and in 1923 opened a factory in Kingston upon Thames
in Surrey. This unconventional machine was designed by American Carl Neracher and had a very low chassis dropping down between the wheels. Production continued until 1927.
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, Yorkshire, and Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the...
, Surrey.
The company received financial backing from the coal magnate Earl Fitzwilliam
William Wentworth-FitzWilliam, 7th Earl FitzWilliam
William Charles de Meuron Wentworth-FitzWilliam, 7th Earl FitzWilliam was a British aristocrat. He was born in Pointe de Meuron, Canada and died at the family's seat...
. The first few cars were called Brotherhoods and were a continuation of the Brotherhood-Crocker cars made in London in which Earl Fitzwilliam had been an investor. Brotherhood sold the London site in 1905 and moved to Peterborough, but could not get permission to build a car factory so the Earl suggested a move to Sheffield where he built a new factory in Tinsley
Tinsley
-People:*Beatrice Tinsley – New Zealand astronomer and cosmologist**The Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize – awarded by the American Astronomical Society*Boyd Tinsley -People:*Beatrice Tinsley (January 27, 1941 – March 23, 1981) – New Zealand astronomer and cosmologist**The Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize –...
.
History
In 1908, the first cars to bear the Sheffield-Simplex name appeared designed by Percy Richardson, formerly of DaimlerDaimler Motor Company
The Daimler Motor Company Limited was an independent British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in London by H J Lawson in 1896, which set up its manufacturing base in Coventry. The right to the use of the name Daimler had been purchased simultaneously from Gottlieb Daimler and Daimler Motoren...
and Brotherhood. The LA1 had a six cylinder 6978 cc engine and three speed gearbox. It was joined in 1908 by the LA2, intended for lighter open bodies which did without a conventional gear system, having one forward gear and an emergency low and reverse gear in a small gearbox attached to the front of the differential housing. The only remaining example of an LA2 is in private ownership and is seen frequently on rallies in Britain, Ireland and Belgium.
Four smaller cars joined the line up in 1910. The LA3 and long wheelbase LA4 were the babies of the family with a four cylinder engine of 2882 cc, while the LA5 and LA6 had six cylinder 4324 cc power units. These cars lasted only one year and in 1911 were replaced by the LA7 with a six cylinder 4740 cc engine allowing the company to boast that only one other British maker made only six cylinder cars. Sheffield-Simplex considered their only rival to be Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Limited
Rolls-Royce Limited was a renowned British car and, from 1914 on, aero-engine manufacturing company founded by Charles Stewart Rolls and Henry Royce on 15 March 1906 as the result of a partnership formed in 1904....
and even opened their London showroom very close by in Conduit Street .
The LA7 was updated to LA7b specification in 1913 and this included electric starting. In 1914, the old LA1 and 2 models were finally dropped.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the company made armoured cars supplied to the Belgian and Russian armies, ABC Wasp and Dragonfly aircraft engine
Aircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
s and munitions.
Car production recommenced in 1919 with the LA7b but now called the 30hp. Few were sold and it was replaced by a new design, the 50, in 1920. This had a new engine of 7777 cc with each of its six cylinders cast separately. It appeared at the London Motor Show in 1921 fitted with a two seat body and again in 1922. It is quite probable that it was the only one made.
The final years of car production are a mystery. It seems likely that few were made post World War I and final production might have been in Kingston. About 1500 cars were made in the company's history.
It is believed that at least three cars survive. The unique 50hp car produced in 1920 and exhibited at several motor shows was acqired by the founder of the business, Earl Fitzwilliam, in 1925 after the liquidation of the Sheffield company. This car can be viewed in the Kelham Island Museum in Sheffield from where it is taken to local shows from time to time.
The ex-Lord Riverdale car is in private ownership and also appears at shows in the Yorkshire/Derbyshire area.
Motor cycles
As well as cars, the company built Ner-a CarNer-a Car
The Ner-a-Car was a type of feet forwards motorcycle designed by Carl Neracher in 1918. Around 6,500 Ner-a-Cars are believed to have been produced between 1921 and 1927 in England, and about 10,000 Neracars in the US...
motor cycles and in 1923 opened a factory in Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames
Kingston upon Thames is the principal settlement of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. It was the ancient market town where Saxon kings were crowned and is now a suburb situated south west of Charing Cross. It is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the...
in Surrey. This unconventional machine was designed by American Carl Neracher and had a very low chassis dropping down between the wheels. Production continued until 1927.