Calthorpe Classic Motorcycles
This Birmingham firm began
production in 1911 with a 211cc two-stroke
motorcycle. Calthorpes were always inexpensive
motorcycles which often led to the factory
being on the brink of closure.
Nevertheless from 1922 they
mounted their own engines and the Ivory series
were popular before the firm closed at the
outbreak of war in 1939. They went into liquidation
and the company were purchased by Bruce Douglas,
a member of the British Douglas family. Unfortunately,
before the name could be revived the commencement
of WWII stopped production and thereafter
the name disappeared.
The Calthorpe factory restyled
their machines in 1928 adopting an ivory coloured
paint scheme for their tank and mudguards,
hence the ivory prefix to their product name.
The factory was never a strong contender on
the racing scene but nevertheless they made
a range of solid well-engineered products
during the first half on the 1930s. Their
last appearance at Earls Court was in 1934
where they displayed models in 250, 350 and
500cc capacities.
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