1915 Calcott 10.5hp Two-seater plus Dickey

Originally founded in 1886 as Calcott Bros & West, Calcott started out making bicycles and related components in the city of Coventry. When partner Enoch West left in 1891, the firm was reconstituted as Calcott Bros Ltd, and by 1905 had begun experimenting with motorcycles. Around 1910 Calcott introduced its first production motorcycle, which was powered by an engine supplied by another Coventry firm, White & Poppe. In 1912 a four-stroke lightweight powered by an engine of Calcott's own manufacture was introduced and this was joined by a slightly larger version the following year. By this time Calcott had begun making motor cars and within two years motorcycle production had ceased.

Introduced in 1913, Calcott's first four-wheeler was a 10.5hp (1.5-litre) four-cylinder light car designed by Arthur Alderson, formerly with Singer. It was made up to 1917 and revived after the war's end as the 1.6-litre 11.9hp, re-emerging in its original 10.5hp form in 1922. Bodies were supplied by various independent coachbuilders, Calcott lacking body-making facilities of its own. In 1923 the firm launched its biggest model to date - the 13.9hp - which was followed by its first six-cylinder design - the 16/50 Light Six - in 1925. The latter's development costs bankrupted Calcott, and in 1926 the firm was taken over by Singer. Although the company existed only briefly and is long gone, Calcott's imposing works still stands in Coventry and is now a listed building. It is believed that only three or four Calcott motorcycles still exist together with around 20 cars.

Source: Bonhams