Brief History of the Marque: Rex Acme
Founded by brothers William and Harold Williamson as a car manufacturer
in Coventry in 1899. In 1904 they turned to motorcycles building
456cc singles and 726cc twins. Made the first telescopic forks in
1906, and introduced several other innovations including rotary-valve engines
and in 1908 were the first to angle the top tube downward to lower the
riding position. Company fired the founders in 1911 and under new boss
George Hemingway went on to make own engines, as well as producing a series
of JAP-powered machines for Premier. Took over Coventry-Acme in 1919
to become Rex-Acme in 1922. The range included 15 models by 1926,
from 172cc to 746cc capacity, but as the depression deepened sales decreased.
Sidecar manufacturer Mills-Fulford purchased the company in 1932, but dropped
motorcycle production the following year and shortly thereafter
ceased manufacture of sidecars.
Rex-Acme used engines from Blackburne,
JAP,
MAG,
Villiers,
Sturmey-Archer,
and Barr & Stroud.
Much of the information above courtesy Ron Skala rskala at
televar
October 21, 2001
More Rex-Acme History
Rex-Acme produced motorcycles in Coventry, from 1921 to 1933. The
company arose from the amalgamation between
Rex
and
Acme in 1921.
-
1921 A new marque was started with a lightweight model. This was either
single or two-speed with a two-stroke Morris
engine. They also produced a JAP
or Blackburne
four-stroke. Unusually, there was also the adoption of the locally made
CAM
engine with very large finning and a detachable head.
-
1922 Brought the introduction of a miniature with a 170cc two-stroke engine.
It shared many similarities with the Hobart
and Wee
MacGregor machines.
-
1924 Rex-Acme motorcycles were successfully raced at the Belgium
and Ulster Grand Prix. They also unveiled 250cc and 350cc ohv models with
Blackburne engines.
Wal Handley,
who was one of the best riders and tuners of the times, guided the company
in its racing exploits. He later became Works Manager at the Earlsdon factory.
-
1926 Handley's strong influence saw the arrival of a wider range, with
many options available. A new four-stroke, with a 173cc ohv AKD
engine and Albion three-speed
gearbox, replaced the miniature two-stroke.
-
1927 There were good results at the TT, when Handley won the Lightweight;
as well as the world one-hour record - 91.21 miles/145.94km covered in
the sixty minutes.
-
1929 The depression was approaching, Handley had moved on and Rex-Acme
was in the doldrums. In an effort to turn things around they produced a
plethora of models and there were at least seventeen different ones on
offer that year.
-
1931 A further range was announced, including one with a Rudge
Python engine, but it was never built as production came to an end.
1933 Two more models were added, with Villiers
and JAP
engines, but later that year motorcycle production stopped and sidecar
manufacture ceased shortly afterwards.
Sources:
Graces
Guide
Thu May 14 2009
jiboiajogo
yahoo.com.br
Cutaway drawing
Rex Acme Barr & Stroud 350cc engined
I would like to have a cutaway drawing of the Barr & Stoud motorcycle
engine, showing clearly the rotary sleeve valve and its way of work.
Rio de Janeiro
Mon Dec 29 2008
tkplant
eircom.net
Machine identification
Rex Acme Unknown
Can you please help me to identify the motorcycle in the attached photo.
Ireland
[Photo was originally titled "Joe Murphy.jpg"]
Rex-Acme_192x_ZU777.jpg will be posted-0812
Wed Nov 07 2007
r.jacksontauntondeane.gov.uk
Rex Acme
Does anyone know WHERE in Coventry the Rex factory was? I believe
it was Osborne Road, but when did it cease to be the Rex base, and what
did the factory produce after Rex closed?
Thu Sep 06 2007
p.poole2007tiscali.co.uk
rex motorcycle
hi,i have just aquired an old motorcycle of about 1926,i have been
told its either a rex-acme or a rex engine no is H2396, frame no 30888,it
has an albion gearbox no ZE560,hope someone can help,thank you.
newcastle,england
Mon Aug 27 2007
p.poole2007tiscali.co.uk
rex-acme
minor 170cc
hello,have you any literature on the rex-acme minor 170cc,photos and
technical info as well.thank you.
newcastle,england
Sat May 05 2007
anthony.grovestesco.net
1928 Rex Acme
I have one, how much is it worth?
London
Fri Oct 21 2005
sezammy
hotmail
Rex Acme
Or is it an Ackland of Southampton? My info, and I suspect it is wrong,
is that Ackland were acquired by Rex-Acme [?Rex & not Rex-Acme] and
info that Ackland existed from 1914-1924 is quite wrong in which case where
did Tragatsch get his info. Any thoughts? Bruce
Main-Smith
July 11, 2000
I am currently the owner of a Rex Acme , and am in the process of restoring
it. Can any one give any info of the 147 2t Rex Acme with a v10c
engine, or any info on the history of Rex Acme. -- Thanks
-- RobBowden1 at aol
If you have a query about Rex-Acme motorcycles, or wish to share your
knowledge of these classic British machines, please contact
us!
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