Full page advertisement for Belsize cars, appearing in the 7th edition of "The Autocar Handbook" (London) published during World War I, c. 1917. There is no vehicle visible, only an empty road!

 

10 hp Belsize of 1912 in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry

 

10 hp Belsize 10/12 hp Tourer 1912

 

Debenture stock certificate of Belsize Motors Ltd, issued 16. May 1924

Established in 1901, Belsize Motors was based in Clayton, Manchester, England.

The company was founded by Marshall & Company and took its name from their Belsize works, where they had built bicycles.

Marshall & Company

Marshall & Company of Clayton Lane, probably Manchester's first automobile manufacturer, built its first car in 1897. The cars were very similar to the French Hurtu, itself a Benz replica, and were sold badged as Marshalls.

Agencies were established in London and Dublin and the car gained a Gold Medal for efficiency at the 1899 London exhibition. A new more modern four-seat model appeared in 1901 with twin-cylinder engine made by Buchet and was the first to carry the Belsize name as the "Marshall Belsize". In 1903 the company name was changed to Belsize Motors and Engineering. In 1906 this changed again to Belsize Motors Ltd.

Before the First World War they were a major player in the United Kingdom's motor industry, employing 1200 people and making up to 50 vehicles a week. A bewildering range of models were made including taxis, commercial vehicles and fire engines with engines of up to 14.5 litre capacity.

Post World War I

After the First World War they followed a single model policy at first with the 15 hp of 2798 cc but this was joined in 1921 by the Belsize-Bradshaw with a 9 hp 1294 cc V-twin engine made by Dorman and designed by Granville Bradshaw that was partly air-cooled and partly oil-cooled. This gained a reputation for being unreliable and was dropped in 1924. It was replaced by a 1250 cc conventional 4-cylinder model, the 10/20 or RM, and a 1696 cc six the 14/30. The latter was at last an up to date car with overhead valves, four-wheel brakes and a four-speed gearbox, but at £415 to £650 it was expensive when compared with the opposition. It was however, too late and the company which had been in the hands of the receiver since 1923 ceased trading in late 1925.

The company also tried to build a 2496 cc, straight eight engine but this probably never got past the prototype stage although it was advertised at £1050.

The first cars were made in 1897 but were called Marshalls and were very similar to the French Hurtu, itself a Benz replica. Agencies were established in London and Dublin and the car gained a Gold Medal for efficiency at the 1899 London exhibition. A new more modern four seat model appeared in 1901 with twin cylinder engine made by Buchet and was the first to carry the Belsize name as the "Marshall Belsize".

• 1901 Belsize Motors formed and was based in Clayton, Manchester. The company was founded in 1896 by Marshall and Co and took its name from their Belsize works where they had built bicycles. The Belsize factory was located near the southern end of Clayton Lane, on the west side of the road.
• 1903 The company name was changed to Belsize Motors and Engineering.
• 1906 This changed again to Belsize Motors Ltd. The company was registered on 20 April, to acquire the undertaking of the Belsize Motor and Engineering Co.
• 1906 Produced 12, 18-24 (2 models), 24-30 and 30-40 h.p. models with shaft-drive and vertical engines.
• 1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of Cars see the 1917 Red Book
• 1913-1917 For a list of the models and prices of Petrol Motor Commercial Vehicles see the 1917 Red Book
• 1914 Motor car manufacturers. Specialities: motor cars and motor taxi cabs, commercial vehicles. Employees 1,500. 
  
  Before World War I they were a major player in the UK motor industry employing 1,200 people and making up to fifty vehicles a week. A bewildering range of models were made including taxis, commercial vehicles and fire engines with engines of up to 14.5 litre capacity.
  
  After the First World War they followed a single model policy at first with the 15 hp of 2,798 cc but this was joined in 1921 by the Belsize-Bradshaw with a 9 hp 1,294 cc V-twin engine made by Dorman and designed by Granville Bradshaw that was partly air and partly oil cooled. This gained a reputation for being unreliable and was dropped in 1924. It was replaced by a 1,250 cc conventional 4 cylinder model, the 10/20 or RM, and a 1,696 cc six the 14/30. The latter was at last an up to date car with overhead valves, four wheel brakes and a four speed gearbox but at £415 to £650 it was expensive when compared with the opposition. It was, however, too late and the company which had been in the hands of the receiver since 1923 ceased trading in late 1925.
• 1920 November. Belsize Motors of Manchester exhibited at the Motor Car Show at Olympia and the White City with cars having a 20.1 hp rating. The company also tried to build a 2,496 cc, straight eight engine but this probably never got past the prototype stage although it was advertised at £1,050.

Commercial Vehicles

• 1911 Commenced building lorries with a 3-ton model
• 1914 Produced a 1.5-ton model

Main car models

• 12 hp 1728cc 2-cylinder 1901
• 15/20 2860cc 4-cylinder 1904
• 18/24 3940cc 3 or 3300 4-cylinder 1906
• 24/30 5880 cc 6-cylinder 1906–1908
• 40 hp 7774 cc 6-cylinder 1908
• 60 hp 11,724 cc 6-cylinder 1908
• 14/16 2543 cc 4-cylinder 1909–1913
• 18/22 3000cc 6-cylinder 1910–1913
• 10/12 1950cc 4-cylinder 1912–1916
• 15 2800cc 4-cylinder 1919-23 (enlarged to 3100cc and known as 15/20 in 1923)
• 9 hp Belsize-Bradshaw 1100cc V2 cylinder 1921–1924
• 14/30 1700cc 6-cylinder 1924-25 (also available with 2500cc straight 8-cylinder as the 20/40)