P. & R. Williams Pty. Ltd.
74-78 Wentworth Ave., Sydney.
Panther & Velocette dealers, 1937
Velocette dealers, 1948
Manufacturer of the Waratah, 1914-1951.
P&R
Manufactured by P & R Williams, 74-78 Wentworth Street, Sydney, NSW.
Built from 1920 to 1926, these were lightweight two-strokes which initially used a 2¾ h.p. engine of their own design with single-speed or a two-speed gearbox. Later models were fitted with Villiers engines and were identical to the Waratah which was built by Williams Bros, another family company. The two firms combined in the 1930s.
Percy Harold and David Reginald (Reg) were born to Christopher and Susan Williams in Victoria. The family moved to Sydney when Christopher joined his brothers in their firm The Canadian Cycles and Motor Agency in George Street, Sydney. Percy and Reg joined the firm as teenagers with Reg later opening his own shop in Kogarah. In 1914 the 2 brothers opened a shop in Orange, N.S.W. under the name of William Bros. They sold and repaired motorcycles and bush bikes such as the English Douglas, American Excelsior and Waratah bikes.
Both brothers served in World War I, after which they moved to Sydney opening their business under the name of P. & R. Williams. Together with their other brothers, Teddy and Stuart, they started entering reliability trials, endurance trials, motor cycle clubs and racing. During 1940s-1950s they had 101 motor cycles dealers, 30 car dealers, 27 tractor and implement dealers and 77 mower dealers, and employed hundreds of staff. Early in 1960 the firm began experiencing losses due to increased overseas competition.
In 1963 the British Motor Corporation put P. & R. Williams into receivership. It was purchased by Larkes Hoskins in 1968 and the name was dropped in 1969.
Reference: "The P. & R. Williams Story" by Pat Williams
Sources: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales (https://search.sl.nsw.gov.au/primo-explore/fulldisplay/ADLIB110374484/SLNSW)
; Robert Saward; et al.
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