Ambassador Motorcycles - A Short History
Ambassador motorcycles began life in 1946 when former car and motorcycle racer Kaye Don formed a company named "U.S. Concessionaires Ltd." as an importer of American cars to the UK. Initially Kaye Don intended to build a motorcycle with a J.A.P. four-stroke engine, and a prototype was built; however, this idea was dropped in favour of a Villiers-powered machine in 1947. Villiers engines continued to be used until 1964.
Ambassador motorcycles were comparatively more expensive than many of the other small lightweights of their day, and consequently didn't sell in great numbers. Exports were important and the majority of those sold overseas seem to have found their way to Australia and New Zealand.
The first motorcycles were named 'SERIES' (1, 2, 3, 4 & 5) and production was based at Ascot, Berkshire, England. The 'Series 5' was the first of the breed to be fitted with a telescopic front fork and DC lighting. Ealier models sported pressed steel Webb girder forks.
1951 - the company name was changed to Ambassador Motorcycles and the models gained 'names', i.e. 'Popular', 'Courier' (1951 only), 'Embassy' & 'Supreme' and the 'Series' name was dropped. 1951 also saw the first fully sprung Ambassador with telescopic front forks and plunger rear suspension, and was named the 'Supreme', a name that was used on the top-of-the-range model through to 1958.
1953 - 6" brakes were used for the first time ('Supreme') and '53 saw the last model fitted with girder forks ('Popular'). All models were fitted with 197cc engines and the 'Sidecar' and 'Self Starter' models were introduced.
1954 - saw the introduction of a 225cc model and swinging arm rear suspension ('Supreme').
1956 - the first model fitted with full width hubs ('Supreme') and a change of style. The 'Sidecar' and 'Self-Starter' were dropped and the 'Envoy' introduced. Gone was the long familiar silver tank, replaced with chrome tank-panels (1956 - 1958). Also for 1956 the 'Popular' was now fitted with a 150cc engine (Villiers 30C).
1957 - the 250cc twin cylinder engine was introduced and all the single cylinder models now had full width hubs. Diamond shaped plastic tank badges introduced.
1958 - the arrival of the first 175cc model, the 'Statesman' and this engine was subsequently fitted to the 1959 and 1960 'Popular'.
1959 - a big style change with rear fairings being the order of the day. Four models now produced - the 'Popular', '3 Star Special', 'Envoy' and the introduction of the 'Super S', which sold well.
1961 - the re-introduction of an electric starter model ('Electra 75'), and the 'Popular' was dropped for the first time since 1951 (although it was re-introduced as a 197cc in 1962). A 'Sport Twin' and a 175cc 'Scooter' were added to the range.
1962 - a 50cc 'Moped' model was introduced. 1962 saw the end of Ambassador production at Ascot as the firm was bought by DMW of Wolverhampton. Three models were produced by DMW, badged as Ambassadors, all with fibreglass rear fairings.
1964 - the end of production of Ambassador Motorcycles.
Source: Michael Easton, who writes, on January 6th 2008:
"Much of this article has been written by Fred Hibbert of Buxton who is, in my opinion, probably the leading Ambassador marque specialist in the UK."
Edited Oct 2024.
See also A Guide to Ambassador Motorcycles, by Michael Easton & Fred Hibbett.
