Life cycle of the autocycle
Aberdale, 1947-49, model = Autocycle
Based in Edmonton, North London, Aberdale launched a basic autocycle powered by a Villiers Junior De Luxe (JDL) 98cc engine in 1947. Although initially branded the ‘Aberdale’ it was built by the Welsh factory Bown. Sources imply Bown was a subsidiary of Aberdale, or vice versa. The last Aberdales may have been powered by the newly-introduced 99cc Villiers 2F unit. From the 1950 season, it was marketed as the Bown.
ABJ, 1949-52, model = Autocycle
Before the Second World War, A B Jackson, company chairman of A B Jackson Cycles Ltd and formerly MD of the Raynal Manufacturing Co Ltd., 300 Ickneild Port Road, Birmingham, was responsible for the Raynal autocycle, which some considered a cut above the rest. For 1949, Jackson unveiled a two-model range, the Villiers 2F powered autocycle and a lightweight motorcycle with the 99cc Villiers 1F two-speed unit. Following conventional lines, but with undamped telescopic front fork, the ABJ Autocycle and Motorcycle continued through much of the 1952 season, until ABJ launched a 49.9cc cyclemotor unit for mounting over a cycle’s front wheel, with drive by roller on the tyre. This unit was available until 1954 as a boxed attachment or fitted to an ABJ cycle.
Bown, 1950-54, model = Auto-Roadster
Research suggests the Bown Cycle Co Ltd, Tonypandy, Glamorgan dates to 1911, when founded by William Bown. For two years from 1922, Bown assembled proprietary-engined light/mediumweight motorcycles, using Blackburne, JAP and Villiers engines.
In the 1930s, Aberdale took
