The Rudge story actually began in Wolverhampton in 1868, where publican Dan Rudge built velocipedes (early bicycles) in a room behind the Tiger’s Head Inn. Dan not only hand-built the contraptions, but invented and patented all sorts of things like ball-bearing wheel spindles and adjustable ball-bearing pedals. After his death the company passed through various hands, but were on the verge of bankruptcy when acquired by the Whitworth Cycle Company in Birmingham. The new venture flourished, and with the bicycle market reaching nearing saturation point, branched into motorcycles.
Rudge-Whitworth went on to produce some of the most famous andMan Senior TT in the hands of Cyril Pullin. Road racing successes flowed in abundance at Brooklands and at the TT, and in the increasingly prestigious Grand Prix events on the Continent. Racing was seen as a showpiece for the company’s four-valve technology that appeared on the showroom floor and was lapped up by sporting riders.
