British

Today in Motorcycle History

Progress Cycle Co

of Coventry

Progress motorcycles were produced from 1900 to 1905, by the Progress Cycle Co, of Foleshill, Coventry.

This company was one of several who purchased some of the first Minerva engines to come to England from Belgium. These were fitted to hang from the downtube of an existing heavy-duty bicycle.

In 1900, a machine was first seen at Cordingley's Motor-Car Exhibition in the Agricultural Hall, London. They progressed to a tricycle and a quadricycle that were either complete or conversion kits, and other engines followed.

During the Edwardian period trading conditions slumped and the marque vanished.

Source: Graces Guide

Stand 57.

Progress Motor Co., Coventry.

Five 9 h.p. single cylinder Progress cars, four with tonneau and one with double phaeton bodies; one specially finished body by Wainwright, the famous Birmingham coachbuilder, is really noticeable for its fine finish - though all Progress cars are well finished, for that matter. The drive is taken from the engine to the change speed gear, via a balanced internal clutch, the special construction of which does away with end thrust. It is not necessary to release this clutch when changing gear, except for reversing. The clutch is connected with the gear above by a knuckle joint, the continuation of which enters the gear box, and forms the top shaft of the gear; on this shaft are two steel pinions, gearing into two more gear wheels on the lower shaft, with which they always in mesh. Two independent clutches are used, and whichever of these clutches is locked (by means of the change speed lever) that particular gear is in action. The pinions being always in mesh, absolute silence in gear changing is obtained The reverse gear is obtained by sliding a third wheel on lower shaft into gear with an intermediate pinion already running in mesh with a pinion on top shaft. The drive is then transmitted through universally jointed shaft to bevel wheels on back live axle. The main frame is built of 1½ inch steel tube, the inner frame, carrying the engine and gear box, is of channel steel.

1902 Stanley Show in Motor Cycling, November 20th, 1902.


If you have further information or a query related to this page, please contact us