Royal Enfield Quadricycle

Key facts

Year

1900
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

244cc
Cylinders

1
Output

2¾hp
Performance

30mph
Price new

Not quoted
Owner

Montagu Collection
Manufacturer

Enfield Cycle Company Limited, Redditch, Worcestershire

In the same way that different methods of propulsion were tried out, some early motor manufacturers also experimented with alternative designs of vehicle layout. Quadricycles (effectively a four-wheeled bicycle with an engine) were one variation and became quite common for a period around the turn of the 20th century.

This Quadricycle was a Royal Enfield factory prototype and contains parts dating from 1898 to 1902. It was built and used by works manager Bob Walker Smith. It was not run after 1903 and remained at the factory for many years before coming to Beaulieu in1958. Royal Enfield had its origins in the manufacture of bicycles and parts for rifles. It became best known for its motorcycles. A range of tricycles and quadricycles was introduced from 1898. A car followed in 1903 and in 1906 a separate Enfield Autocar Company was established whilst Royal Enfield concentrated on motorcycles.