Speedwell bicycles
Encyclopedia
Speedwell was a brand of bicycle
manufactured by Bennett & Wood, a firm established by Mr. Charles W. Bennett and Mr. Charles R. Wood in 1882 in Sydney
, Australia
. As motorcars and motorcycle
s became available Bennett and Wood entered the motor trade. They built and sold the Speedwell bicycle and the Speedwell and Acme motorcycles. The Speedwell motorcycle was built in the early 1900s.
enthusiasts and racers. They were heavily involved in bicycle racing in the Sydney area prior to opening a bicycle shop; Mr. Bennett was the intercolonial and NSW champion (1883, 1885). Mr. Bennett was a member of a Speedwell bicycle club in England prior to arrival in Australia and for a time raced as a member of that club. He and Mr. Wood were involved with the Speedwell bicycle club in Australia, the Cyclists Union of NSW (as competitors and promotors of bicycle racing) and later the League of Wheelmen.
The business opened up in 1882 in a humble premises in Clarence Street, in a single fronted two storey warehouse.
Initially they imported and sold machines such as the Rover and Raleigh
but they soon commenced local production. Examples of penny-farthings marked Speedwell exist however its unknown if they were locally made or imported. The partnership between Bennett and Wood ended in 1887 with Mr. Bennett taking ownership of "Bennett and Wood".
As safety bicycle
s began to emerge and become popular Charles Bennett was one of the first in Australia to embrace the new machines and offer then to the public. The business thrived and grew. After making various extensions to their original premises, the business had grown to such an extent that in 1897 it was found necessary to erect a new four-storey building at 397 George Street. These premises were supplemented by workshops in Clarence Street an additional premises in King Street. In 1899 Royal Speedwells were advertised as being made by the Rover Co. Ltd.. By the earliest days of the twentieth century Bennett and Wood were manufacturing their own bicycles under the name Speedwell with the Royal Speedwells being the highest quality bikes built. On January 1 1901 Bennett & Wood Ltd. moved into their new premises, 53 and 55 Market Street. It was only a short time, however, before expansion compelled the firm to occupy Pike's stores at the rear of the Market Street building and also premises in other parts of the same block. The ever-growing popularity and output of Speedwell cycles again rendered it necessary for the company to seek more room.
Speedwell were always supportive of bicycle racing in Australia, donated Royal Speedwells to race winners, and sponsor races (the Speedwell Cup ran from 1906 till at least 1955).
In 1908 the head office of the company was transferred to the large building at the corner of Pitt and Bathurst Streets and the accommodation was such that it was thought that this building would suffice for all time. This opinion was altered very quickly and the company doubled its frontage in Pitt Street by purchasing the adjoining block. It was later found necessary to expand up Bathurst Street and the adjoining block was also acquired.
By 1911 Bennett and Wood were advertising that they were the largest bicycle builders in Australasia.
In 1924 Speedwell bikes were exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition
in Wembley. They were awarded Wembley Medals the only bicycles so awarded.
After World War II Bennett and Wood's cycle manufacturing plant was located in the Pitt and Bathurst Street building, but as production increased a separate and more spacious factory had to be obtained for this section of the business.
A new large factory was built at Redfern and opened c 1951 (Charles Bennett died in November 1947). The new factory in Redfern was state of the art with in house chrome plating, painting, a canteen and full time first aid staff. They made nearly all of the bicycle in house including but not limited to frames, handlebars and stems. The saddles fitted were made by the Australian company "Bell Saddles" (Pierce Bell trading company of Sydney). In 1951/2 Speedwell were using a new process to paint the frames of the better racing models. This was referred to as translucent, colours being a silver or gold base with translucent colour over the top. Initially this was in blue, green, and red. This was referred to in the USA as candy paint by hot rod
enthusiasts and applied to cars. By the late 1950s Bennett and Wood had become predominantly a motor trade distribution firm. They, like the Repco Cycle company, had seen the growth in motor vehicle use as the means by which to further develop their business.
By the mid 1960s the downturn in bicycle sales in Australia and the rationalisation of the bicycle industry in Australia had taken its toll on Bennett and Wood and so, in 1965, they sold the Speedwell brand to General Accessories, the owners of their once great Melbourne based rival Malvern Star
(purchased in 1958 from Bruce Small). In a similar way to Malvern Star bicycle building was phased out from about 1970 in preference to cheaper imports.
In 1910 Mr. E. A. Pearson set a record on a Royal Speedwell for the Sydney to Melbourne ride (565 miles) in a time of 43 hours 18 minutes (actual riding time, overall time 49 hours). This record stood for the next 17 years. Mr Pearson continued to ride his Royal Speedwell and by 1927 had achieved 100,000 miles
Other Speedwell World Championship riders of the time were::
In 1932 Speedwell rider Edgar "Dunc" Gray
won the Olympic time trial by covering a kilometre (1094 yards) unpaced from a standing start in 1 min 13 seconds at Los Angeles, USA. At the time this was a world's record. During his long career Gray represented Australia in three Olympic Games, his other appearances being Amsterdam in 1928 and Berlin in 1936. He also rode for Australia in the Empire Games
held at Manchester in 1934 and Sydney in 1938. In the former event he won two British Empire Championships. He became an employee at Speedwell building racing bikes (the "Olympic" so named in his honour, was one of the racing models) and promoting for Speedwell. One of his Royal Speedwell bikes is on display at the Dunc Gray Velodrome
in Sydney.
Arie van Vliet
won the world's professional sprint championship in 1936 and 1938. Mr. van Vliet visited the factory in Sydney to have his bikes built. This may have been as a result of riding against Dunc Gray in Olympic competition.
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
manufactured by Bennett & Wood, a firm established by Mr. Charles W. Bennett and Mr. Charles R. Wood in 1882 in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. As motorcars and motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
s became available Bennett and Wood entered the motor trade. They built and sold the Speedwell bicycle and the Speedwell and Acme motorcycles. The Speedwell motorcycle was built in the early 1900s.
History
Bennett and Wood were accomplished penny-farthingPenny-farthing
Penny-farthing, high wheel, high wheeler, and ordinary are all terms used to describe a type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a much smaller rear wheel that was popular after the boneshaker, until the development of the safety bicycle, in the 1880s...
enthusiasts and racers. They were heavily involved in bicycle racing in the Sydney area prior to opening a bicycle shop; Mr. Bennett was the intercolonial and NSW champion (1883, 1885). Mr. Bennett was a member of a Speedwell bicycle club in England prior to arrival in Australia and for a time raced as a member of that club. He and Mr. Wood were involved with the Speedwell bicycle club in Australia, the Cyclists Union of NSW (as competitors and promotors of bicycle racing) and later the League of Wheelmen.
The business opened up in 1882 in a humble premises in Clarence Street, in a single fronted two storey warehouse.
Initially they imported and sold machines such as the Rover and Raleigh
Raleigh Bicycle Company
The Raleigh Bicycle Company is a bicycle manufacturer originally based in Nottingham, UK. It is one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world. From 1921 to 1935 Raleigh also produced motorcycles and three-wheel cars, leading to the formation of the Reliant Company.-Early years:Raleigh's history...
but they soon commenced local production. Examples of penny-farthings marked Speedwell exist however its unknown if they were locally made or imported. The partnership between Bennett and Wood ended in 1887 with Mr. Bennett taking ownership of "Bennett and Wood".
As safety bicycle
Safety bicycle
A safety bicycle is a type of bicycle that became very popular beginning in the late 1880s as an alternative to the penny-farthing or ordinary and is now the most common type of bicycle. Early bicycles of this style were known as safety bicycles because they were noted for, and marketed as, being...
s began to emerge and become popular Charles Bennett was one of the first in Australia to embrace the new machines and offer then to the public. The business thrived and grew. After making various extensions to their original premises, the business had grown to such an extent that in 1897 it was found necessary to erect a new four-storey building at 397 George Street. These premises were supplemented by workshops in Clarence Street an additional premises in King Street. In 1899 Royal Speedwells were advertised as being made by the Rover Co. Ltd.. By the earliest days of the twentieth century Bennett and Wood were manufacturing their own bicycles under the name Speedwell with the Royal Speedwells being the highest quality bikes built. On January 1 1901 Bennett & Wood Ltd. moved into their new premises, 53 and 55 Market Street. It was only a short time, however, before expansion compelled the firm to occupy Pike's stores at the rear of the Market Street building and also premises in other parts of the same block. The ever-growing popularity and output of Speedwell cycles again rendered it necessary for the company to seek more room.
Speedwell were always supportive of bicycle racing in Australia, donated Royal Speedwells to race winners, and sponsor races (the Speedwell Cup ran from 1906 till at least 1955).
In 1908 the head office of the company was transferred to the large building at the corner of Pitt and Bathurst Streets and the accommodation was such that it was thought that this building would suffice for all time. This opinion was altered very quickly and the company doubled its frontage in Pitt Street by purchasing the adjoining block. It was later found necessary to expand up Bathurst Street and the adjoining block was also acquired.
By 1911 Bennett and Wood were advertising that they were the largest bicycle builders in Australasia.
In 1924 Speedwell bikes were exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition
British Empire Exhibition
The British Empire Exhibition was a colonial exhibition held at Wembley, Middlesex in 1924 and 1925.-History:It was opened by King George V on St George's Day, 23 April 1924. The British Empire contained 58 countries at that time, and only Gambia and Gibraltar did not take part...
in Wembley. They were awarded Wembley Medals the only bicycles so awarded.
After World War II Bennett and Wood's cycle manufacturing plant was located in the Pitt and Bathurst Street building, but as production increased a separate and more spacious factory had to be obtained for this section of the business.
A new large factory was built at Redfern and opened c 1951 (Charles Bennett died in November 1947). The new factory in Redfern was state of the art with in house chrome plating, painting, a canteen and full time first aid staff. They made nearly all of the bicycle in house including but not limited to frames, handlebars and stems. The saddles fitted were made by the Australian company "Bell Saddles" (Pierce Bell trading company of Sydney). In 1951/2 Speedwell were using a new process to paint the frames of the better racing models. This was referred to as translucent, colours being a silver or gold base with translucent colour over the top. Initially this was in blue, green, and red. This was referred to in the USA as candy paint by hot rod
Hot rod
Hot rods are typically American cars with large engines modified for linear speed. The origin of the term "hot rod" is unclear. One explanation is that the term is a contraction of "hot roadster," meaning a roadster that was modified for speed. Another possible origin includes modifications to or...
enthusiasts and applied to cars. By the late 1950s Bennett and Wood had become predominantly a motor trade distribution firm. They, like the Repco Cycle company, had seen the growth in motor vehicle use as the means by which to further develop their business.
By the mid 1960s the downturn in bicycle sales in Australia and the rationalisation of the bicycle industry in Australia had taken its toll on Bennett and Wood and so, in 1965, they sold the Speedwell brand to General Accessories, the owners of their once great Melbourne based rival Malvern Star
Malvern Star
Malvern Star is a manufacturer of bicycles, located in Melbourne, Australia. It began in 1902, and went on to become a household name in Australia.-History:Malvern Star opened in a small shop at 58 Glenferrie Rd, in the Melbourne suburb of Malvern in 1902...
(purchased in 1958 from Bruce Small). In a similar way to Malvern Star bicycle building was phased out from about 1970 in preference to cheaper imports.
Competitive results
In November, 1906 the fastest time in the Goulburn to Sydney race was taken by Mr. J. O. Burr on a Royal Speedwell. He won another Royal Speedwell for his trouble.In 1910 Mr. E. A. Pearson set a record on a Royal Speedwell for the Sydney to Melbourne ride (565 miles) in a time of 43 hours 18 minutes (actual riding time, overall time 49 hours). This record stood for the next 17 years. Mr Pearson continued to ride his Royal Speedwell and by 1927 had achieved 100,000 miles
Other Speedwell World Championship riders of the time were::
- Frank Louis KramerFrank Louis KramerFrank Louis Kramer was an American gold medal cyclist. He won won 16 consecutive national championships from 1901 to 1916. He was inducted into the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame in 1988.-Biography:He was born in 1880....
, 1901-16. 1918, 1921. In an undated letter from Australian rider Mr W. Erskine (whilst in the USA) to Bennett and Wood, he wrote "You will be surprised to know that Kramer is riding one of your machines and declares it is the best machine he has ever had. So far he has won two Champion ships and almost everything he started in. All the best riders in America are on Speedwell's including McNamara (the best all rounder here to-day), Goulett, Corry and Grenda (sic)" - Arthur Spencer. 1917. 1920, 1924.
- Ray Eaton, 1919.
- Harris Horder, 1927.
- Cecil Walker, nine times world's champion. He later opened his own bicycle business in Melbourne.
In 1932 Speedwell rider Edgar "Dunc" Gray
Dunc Gray
Edgar Laurence "Dunc" Gray was a track cyclist from Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia who won a bronze medal for the 1000m time trial at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam- Australia's first Olympic Games medal in cycling...
won the Olympic time trial by covering a kilometre (1094 yards) unpaced from a standing start in 1 min 13 seconds at Los Angeles, USA. At the time this was a world's record. During his long career Gray represented Australia in three Olympic Games, his other appearances being Amsterdam in 1928 and Berlin in 1936. He also rode for Australia in the Empire Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
held at Manchester in 1934 and Sydney in 1938. In the former event he won two British Empire Championships. He became an employee at Speedwell building racing bikes (the "Olympic" so named in his honour, was one of the racing models) and promoting for Speedwell. One of his Royal Speedwell bikes is on display at the Dunc Gray Velodrome
Dunc Gray Velodrome
The Dunc Gray Velodrome is located at Bass Hill approximately 5 kilometres north west of the Sydney suburb of Bankstown. The Dunc Gray Velodrome was opened on 28 November 1999 and is named after Edgar "Dunc" Gray, the first Australian to win a cycling Gold Medal at the Olympic Games...
in Sydney.
Arie van Vliet
Arie van Vliet
Arie van Vliet was a Dutch racing cyclist, olympic champion in track cycling.He received a gold medal in 1000 m time trial and a silver medal in individual sprint at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.-References:...
won the world's professional sprint championship in 1936 and 1938. Mr. van Vliet visited the factory in Sydney to have his bikes built. This may have been as a result of riding against Dunc Gray in Olympic competition.