New Hudson, founded in 1903 by George Patterson in Birmingham, built first their first motorcycle in 1902, but it was unsuccessful. The New Hudson range expanded between 1910 and 1915 using JAP engines, then the factory joined the war effort until 1919. In addition to side-valve and OHV single-cylinder engines of 350 to 600 cc, they also built a 211 cc two-stroke and a number of three-wheelers with MAG engines.In 1927 Bert le Vack broke the 100 miles per hour record at Brooklands on a 500 cc New Hudson. The firm ceased motorcycle production in 1932 and changed their name to Girling Ltd – which still exists as a brake-component company. Bikes were made under the New Hudson name after the Second World War, when they became a subsidiary of Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) and manufactured successful autocycles until 1957.

Courtesy Bretti Brothers