Damien Kimberley Knihy

Featuring 200 exceptional photographs from The Coventry Transport Museum, this book presents a comprehensive history of Coventry's motorcycle manufacturers. It highlights the significance of the region in the motorcycle industry, showcasing the evolution of design and technology. Readers will discover the stories behind iconic brands and the impact of local craftsmanship on the global motorcycle scene, making it a unique resource for enthusiasts and historians alike.

The book explores Coventry's transformation from a cycle industry hub to the birthplace of Britain's motor industry, highlighting the pioneering efforts of the Daimler Company in the late 1890s. It details the evolution of numerous motor manufacturers, many emerging from cycle roots, and the influx of skilled workers drawn to the city. With over 100 independent motor manufacturers documented, the narrative reflects on Coventry's rich automotive heritage, despite recent industry declines. Illustrated with 200 archival photographs from Coventry Transport Museum, it serves as a significant historical record.

Coventry has a remarkable bicycle manufacturing heritage. From the first velocipedes built in 1868, the city went on to become the home of the British cycle industry and at one time produced the greatest output of cycles in the world - with well in excess of 450 individual cycle manufacturers over a 100-year period.