Iris Motor Co, of Holland St, Brixton, London
of Scrubs Lane. Harlesden NW (1911)
Manufactured -
- 1905-05 Legros and Knowles
- 1907-09 Iris Cars, Willesden
- 1909-15 Iris Cars, Aylesbury
Maker of motorcycles from 1902-04 and later from 1905-15 of the Iris car.
1902 The motorcycle was fitted with their own make of 2.5hp water-cooled engine, fitted into a diamond bicycle frame. The belt drive had a free-engine pulley to act as a clutch. It also had a hand starter. The front part of the tank acted as the radiator for the cooling system, with air tubes running from the front and exiting along each side.
1903 Added to the previous model was a 5hp water-cooled V-twin, with the engine fitted into a loop frame but all the other features retained.
November 1903 listed as Iris Motor Co of Holland Street, North Brixton.
1904 The models continued, the radiator was improved and air-cooled models were also listed.
1904 Formation of Legros and Knowles to make motor cars. The car designer was M. de Havilland (could this be Ivon Molesworth de Havilland?).
1905 November. Details of the 25-hp and 35-hp cars.[1]
1906 Produced 25-30 and 35-40 h.p. shaft-drive models. [2]
1906 April. Details of the 25-30hp and 35-40hp cars.[3]
1908 of 19, Great Portland Street, London, W. Sold the three Iris models made by Messrs. Legros and Knowles
1908 Company in problems and in 1909 it was re-formed and backed by George Augustus Mower
1909 Advert: Iris Cars Ltd, Marshall St, Regent St, London
1910 Built a 45 hp engine for de Havilland, to de Havilland's own design, which was used in the F.E.1 (Farman Experimental) aircraft and Gamma airship.
1911 November. Details of three models for next yea4: 15hp (4), 25hp (4) and 35hp (4).[4]
1911 Directory listed them as Iris Cars Ltd., Scrubs Lane, Harlesden, London NW, and as motor manufacturers[5]
1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of cars see the 1917 Red Book
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Autocar 1905/11/11
- ↑ The Automobile Vol. III. Edited by Paul N. Hasluck and published by Cassell in 1906.
- ↑ The Autocar 1906/04/14
- ↑ The Autocar 1911/11/04
- ↑ Post Office London Location Suburbs Directory, 1911
- The British Motorcycle Directory - Over 1,100 Marques from 1888 - by Roy Bacon and Ken Hallworth. Pub: The Crowood Press 2004 ISBN 1 86126 674 X