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Cars
and the Car Industry Motorcycles Scooters Road
Signs Licences Driving
Tests Road Tax The Highway
Code Reg Plate Numbers
Haulage Lorries and Trucks Vans London Transport Buses London Underground Milk and Ice Cream Vans & Chimes Emergency Services Hovercraft Passenger Airlines and Aircraft Charter Airlines London Airports British Railways Cruise Lines, Liners and Ferries Military Speed Records: Land Water Two Wheels Air Steam Trains Electric Trains Other Trains Transport Industry Events and Timeline - 1950 to 1969 Sixties Transport Videos and Links The Mini Moke Metrication TV / Radio Detector Vans Major Road Construction and Motorway Services |
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| 1950 First Ducati produced in Italy Moto GP won by Umberto Masetti (Italy) Gilera Triumph Thunderbird in production Vincent drops its HRD initials Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club is formed in California Sidecar maker Watsonian produces a short-lived 996cc motorcycle |
1951 BSA buys Triumph Motorcycles for £2.5 million Triumph offers four models, all 500cc and up (compared to 19 from BSA) Ossa (Spain) builds its first motorcycles KTM (Austria) makes its first motorcycles A Piaggio-built Vespa scooter first appeared on the Douglas Stand at the motorcycle Show at Earls Court in 1949 but British production did not start until April 1951 Moto GP won by Geoff Duke (UK) Norton |
1952 First Suzuki engines produced in Japan Designers start putting Triumph engines into Norton frames, creating 'Tritons' 32 British motorcycle manufacturers exhibit at Earl's Court show Norton puts a parallel twin into a Featherbed frame to produce the Dominator 88 Vespa scooter launched, made under licence by Douglas British scooter Swallow Gadabout ceases production Moto GP won by Umberto Masetti (Italy) Gilera |
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| 1953 Associated Motorcycles Corporation (AMC) buys Norton (They were also to absorb AJS, Matchless, James and Francis-Barnett but collapsed in 1966). Triumph Terrier 150cc four-speed single is introduced American manufacturer, Indian, stops making its own motorcycles and imports Royal Enfield and other British machines The Vespa 125 is introduced Royal Enfield makes the 692cc Meteor J. Casal (Portugal) forms Metalugica Casal MZ (Motorradwerk Zschopau) founded in Germany Mandatory crash helmets introduced in Britain Moto GP won by Geoff Duke (UK) Gilera |
1954 The Triumph Tiger 110 (T110) and Tiger Cub 200cc (T20) are announced First Kawasaki engines produced in Japan Suzuki makes its first commercial motorcycle, the 90cc four-stroke Colleda Vincent Series D is released Moto GP won by Geoff Duke (UK) Gilera (below) 
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1955 Amal Monobloc carburettors are introduced The Triumph Trophy TR6 650cc is introduced Douglas introduces its last model, the 350cc Dragonfly Nippon Gakki founds Yamaha division specifically to make motorcycles (the first bike is a 125cc two-stroke single called the YA-1 or Red Dragonfly) Vincent closes in December The Vespa 150 GS is introduced Horex (Germany) introduces its first motorcycle, the Imperator 400cc twin Suzuki starts production of its first proper bike, a 125cc two-stroke Norton ceases production of its side-valve models First NSU produced in Germany Moto GP won by Geoff Duke (UK) Gilera |
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| 1956 The Triumph Terrier is dropped The Tiger Cub gets offroad, competition and sports models. A racing model, the Triumph Thunderbird TR5/R is introduced BSA forms an Automotive Division (comprising BSA, Ariel, Triumph, Daimler Co. and Carbodies - makers of London taxicabs) Harley Davidson introduces its Sportster model Sunbeam ceases production Motosacoche (Switzerland) ceases production Moto GP won by John Surtees (UK) MV Agusta |
1957
The unit construction Triumph 350cc 'Twenty One' 3TA (designed by Turner/Wickes) is introduced Triumph celebrates its 21st birthday TWN Motorcycles is bought by Grundig and closed First World Championship motocross race is held Rene Gillet (France) closes Leopoldo Tartarini starts Italjet (Italy), making children's motorcycles Moto GP won by Libero Liberati (Italy) Gilera |
1958
The Triumph Tigress scooter is unveiled in 175cc two-stroke (Bantam engine) and 250cc OHV four-stroke twin models (also marketed as the BSA Sunbeam) The first parking meters in the UK are put up in Grosvenor Square, London The Ariel Leader 250cc two-stroke designed by Val Page is introduced The Ariel Square Four ('Squariel') ends production Royal Enfield introduces the Crusader Air Flow 250cc with a full fibreglass fairing Horex (Germany)closes The first Soviet motorcycles show in the west at the World Fair in Brussels Victoria, Express and DKW (Germany) merge to form Zweirad Union AG Peugot (France) ends larger motorcycle production, concentrating on mopeds Moto GP won by John Surtees MV Agusta |
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| 1959
The Triumph Bonneville 650cc twin is launched. A special twin-carb Triumph Trophy TR7A is also released The Triumph T100 is discontinued in June Honda enters the IoM TT race, the first Japanese manufacturer to do so Honda enters US market and also sells the 250cc Dream in Holland and the UK Dave Degens forms Dresda Autos to manufacture and market 'Tritons' More than 250,000 scooters are registered in the UK Nimbus (Denmark) closes Friedl Munch founds Munch Motorcycles in Germany Lambretta introduce the TV series 2 and Li series 2 scooter models Moto GP won by John Surtees (UK) MV Agusta 
Honda 1959 TT |
1960
Aviation Rail
Transport The Harley-Davidson 'Topper' motor scooter is introduced and is the only scooter platform H-D ever produced The Triumph Trophy TR6SC is introduced The T100A, sports version of 5TA, replaces the Tiger 100 The Trophy is discontinued in September, but is replaced in February 1961 as the TR6B Trophy-Bird Scrambler (or TR6S/S) Triumph display a Speed Twin with an electric starter at Earl's Court Indian firm splits and sells Matchless motorcycles until it ceases trading Kawasaki builds its first complete bike, a 125cc two-stroke Kawasaki buy Japan's oldest motorcycle manufacturer, Meguro (founded 1924) A Suzuki team enters the IoM TT race Harley-Davidson and Italian firm Aermacchi form a new company to make and sell the Italian company's smaller scramblers and street machines Learner riders restricted to motorcycles under 250cc and must display L-plates Raleigh introduce the RM 2C moped, the 78cc Roma scooter (made under licence from Bianchi of Italy) and announce a new range of Motobécane mopeds Moto GP won by John Surtees (UK) MV Agusta The 'over the shoulder' car seat belt is invented by P.O.Wemen and marketed by Britax Direct fuel injection is perfected 13th April Stirling Moss is banned for 1 year for dangerous driving 9th June Armstrong-Siddeley cars announce that they are to cease production 19th June Jaguar cars merge with Daimler 12th September The M.O.T. test is introduced for vehicles over 10 years old covering brakes, lights and steering 19th September The first traffic wardens issue the first parking tickets in Westminster 25th October The Severn Railway Bridge at Sharpness is destroyed. Two spans drop onto two tanker barges which are swept into it whilst bound for Sharpness in thick fog 28th October The M62, Britains first urban motorway opens in Manchester 30th November Production of the American De Soto automobile brand ceases 5th December Leyland Motors announces its planned takeover of Standard-Triumph International |
1961
Aviation Rail
Transport |
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| 1962
Aviation Rail
Transport All Triumph 650 twins after October are produced as unit-construction The Triumph Tina scooter with automatic transmission is announced Royal Enfield upgrades its twin cylinder to the Interceptor 736cc The Vespa 160 GS is introduced Excelsior cease production Honda sells more bikes in the USA than all other makes combined Lambretta introduce the TV/GT range AMC close the Norton works in Birmingham in July Norton merges with Matchless and all subsequent Nortons are built in the Matchless plant in London Belgian company FN (founded 1899) closes its doors Bridgestone (Japan) start making two-stroke 90cc and 175cc motorcycles The last BSA Gold Star is made Moto GP won by Mike Hailwood (UK) MV Agusta The 1000 space Hyde Park underground car park is opened Ford opens its £50million plant at Halewood, Merseyside Voluntary Register of ADI's passed by Parliament A valid MOT certificate is now needed in order to obtain a road tax disc The Ford Cortina is launched The commercial vehicle test is inaugurated The first self-service petrol station is opened on London's Southwark Bridge 2nd April Push-button
'Panda' pedestrian crossings are introduced |
1963
Aviation Rail
Transport The Tiger 90 high performance 350 3TA is introduced All Triumph 650s are built with a new unit construction engine/gear box The Vespa 150 GL is introduced The Triumph Tina 100cc scooter with automatic transmission is introduced Lambretta introduce the Li Special model BSA closes the Ariel factory at Selly Oak The last Ariels in production, the Leader and Arrow, are manufactured at BSA's factory in Small Heath until 1965 The Norton Atlas is released AMC acquires James Norman ceases production. The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) is formed Raleigh introduce the RM 6 moped Moto GP won by Mike Hailwood (UK) MV Agusta Automatic disqualification now mandatory for anyone with three driving licence endorsements in a 3-year period Clayton Jacobson designs the first jet-ski Three streets in London are pedestrianised on an experimental basis Rover unveils the sharp-nosed, radically designed P6 JCB launches its legendary 3C backhoe digger The last tram runs in Glasgow (the last in Edinburgh was in 1956) 1st January The new 'A' suffix is used on registration plates in some counties 8th March The first Ford Anglia rolls off the new production line at Halewood 3rd July The government Warboys Report proposes plans for the introduction of continental-style road signs 26th July A UK national speed limit of 50 m.p.h. is introduced but ignored by most drivers 18th November The Dartford Tunnel opens at a cost of £13 million |
1964
Aviation Rail
Transport The Tiger 90 and 100 lose their 'skirts' Triumph sells 6,300 bikes in the USA Triumph drop the larger scooters and 250cc twin engines in October The TRW is dropped Bonnevilles get 12 volt electrics The Sports Cub T20/S/H and Mountain Cub T20M are introduced The first Vespa 50cc machine is introduced Sprite (UK) start making 246cc scramblers in Birmingham Casal (Portugal) makes its first motorcycle German racer Helmut Fath founds the URS company Raleigh introduce the RM 8 Automatic Mark 2 moped Moto GP won by Mike Hailwood (UK) MV Agusta Honda diversifies into car production Box junctions marked with yellow cross-hatchings are introduced in London Vauxhall produces the Viva at its Ellesmere Port factory The first electronic ticket barriers and unmanned trains are seen on the London Underground The new Prestwick Airport building is opened 7th January Leyland Motor Corpn. announces the sale of 450 buses to the Cuban government, challenging the United States blockade of Cuba 6th February Britain and France agree to build a Channel tunnel 9th March The first Ford Mustang rolls off the assembly line at the Ford Motor Company 19th April The Ford Mustang is officially unveiled to the American public July: 275 BEA flights are cancelled at Heathrow due to strike action 4th September The Queen opens The Forth Road Bridge over the Firth of Forth in Scotland |
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| 1965
Aviation Rail
Transport A prototype triple engine is tested in a Bonneville chassis The Triumph Tina undergoes modifications and is renamed the T10 The Bonneville Speedmaster T120R and Highway Trophy TR6SR are introduced for the US market The BSA Group gets a controlling interest in JoMo, consolidating it with TriCor, their American import and distribution companies Triumph is making 600 to 800 bikes a week, 80% of them bound for the USA The Vespa 180 SS is introduced Honda introduces the 450cc CB450 (Black Hawk) with electric start / oil light Velocette introduce the 500cc Thruxton, their last machine Kawasaki is the first Japanese company to open a US office 609,000 motorcycles and scooters are imported into the USA: 33,406 from the UK, 465,000 from Japan Vespa production by Douglas ceases Harley-Davidson becomes a public company Raleigh announce the RM 12 Super 50 sports moped and introduce the RM 6 Super de Luxe, replacing the RM 6 de Luxe after only five months Moto GP won by Mike Hailwood (UK) MV Agusta Police panda cars are introduced Injuries due to road accidents reach 398,000 Rover merges with Avus Brake stop lights are made compulsory in the UK 50 mph speed limits are introduced on certain rural trunk roads BMC merges with the Pressed Steel Company February:
The one millionth Mini
is produced |
1966
Aviation Rail
Transport Triumph drop the Twenty-One 3TA and Speed Twin 5TA models Lambretta introduce the SX range (Special X) Tiger Cub manufacture is taken over by BSA due to falling sales of the Bantam Bob Dylan crashes his 500cc Triumph, suffering several broken neck vertebrae The 'new' Vespa 125 and Super Sprint 90 are introduced Associated Motorcycles (AMC) collapses, but is restructured when Manganese Bronze Holdings takes it over. Francis-Barnett and James cease production completely with AJS and Matchless soon following The Norton range has all single cylinder models dropped Panther motorcycles closes German firm Zweirad Union (Victoria, Express and DKW) merge with Fichel and Sachs (who also own Hercules Werke) Suzuki introduces the Super Six, a six-speed, two-stroke twin The 500cc Tiger 100 Daytona (T100T) is introduced Raleigh introduce the RM 11 Super Tourist and RM 9 Ultramatic Plus One Moto GP won by Giacomo Agostini (Italy) MV Agusta Jensen launch the FF and the Interceptor Peugeot merges with Renault The 'Give Way To The Right' rule is introduced for roundabouts The Rootes group is taken over by American giant, Chrysler The DKW automobile goes out of production Some US cars are fitted with 8-track stereo cartridge tape players 29th
January The Road Safety Act is passed |
1967
Aviation Rail
Transport Prototype Triumph Tridents and BSA Rockets are tested in California Triumph releases the T100R Daytona Super Sports and the T120/R road model The UK speed limit is increased to 70 mph Breathalyser tests are introduced in the UK Honda withdraws from GP racing Ariel ceases production Matchless ceases production Royal Enfield starts selling off machines and stock Moto Parilla (Italy) ceases motorcycle production Bianchi (Italy) ceases motorcycle production Production of the Triumph 'Cub' series finishes Raleigh introduce the RM 7 Wisp moped Norton motorcycles introduce a Norton with a rubber-mounted engine in a duplex frame Norton-Villiers take over Royal Enfield motorcycles Moto GP won by Giacomo Agostini (Italy) MV Agusta The number plate suffix change moves to August of each year The Ministry of Transport issues "Road Safety - A Fresh Approach" - a paper proposing a wide range of measures to reduce road accident casualties The annual MOT test is made compulsory for all vehicles over three years old instead of ten March: Star grading
for petrol is introduced |
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| 1968
Aviation Rail
Transport BSA announce a three-cylinder 750cc Trident T150 (nicknamed 'Tiger 100-and-a-half'). The Trident/BSA Rocket-3 is the first co-operative venture between BSA and Triumph since their 1951 amalgamation The Triumph TR25W Trophy is introduced BSA launch the four-speed Bantam The Norton Fastback 750cc twin is launched Royal Enfield closes Lambretta introduces the Lui/Vega/Cometa scooter Honda introduces its four-cylinder CB750 Fantic (Italy) sets up a production factory Bridgestone ceases bike production after its last model, the 90cc Sports The Vespa 125 Primavera and 180 Rally are introduced First Aprilia is produced in Italy Moto GP won by Giacomo Agostini (Italy) MV Agusta A revised and enlarged edition of the Highway Code is published New tyre tread regulations require 1mm of tread across three-quarters of a tyre's width Tyre checks are added to MOT tests for cars over 10 years old 17th January The British Leyland Motor Corporation is formed from Leyland and BMH 1st August The first Mountbatten class SRN4 hover ferry, Princess Margaret, is used by Seaspeed on the Channel crossing 8th September First part of the Victoria underground line opens between Walthamstow and Highbury 26th September Jaguar unveil their XJ-6 saloon |
1969
Aviation Rail
Transport Honda sells over 30,000 CB750s in the US alone, with total sales of 1 million Kawasaki releases its 500cc H1 triple Yamaha pulls out of racing leaving Kawasaki as the only Japanese manufacturer still involved Suzuki start developing their two-stroke GT750 32,721 British motorcycles are imported into USA, mostly Triumphs Lambretta introduces the GP/DL scooter range Harley-Davidson / Aermacchi bought by American Machine & Foundry group (AMF) NSU (Germany) are taken over by Audi and motorcycle production ceases BMW (Germany) release a line of new, modern motorcycle designs Simplex (Holland) is taken over by Gazelle and closed Moto GP won by Giacomo Agostini (Italy) MV Agusta Raleigh moped production officially ceased in September for all models except the basic RM 6 The SAAB 99 motor car is launched A separate driving licence group is established for vehicles with automatic transmission Pelican Crossings are introduced There are now 15 million vehicles on British roads The Kingston Bridge, carrying the M8 motorway over the River Clyde, is opened April 7th Rolls Royce recalls at least 5,000 cars for defect checks |
1970
Onwards The Vespa 50 Elestart, a scooter with an electric starter, was introduced British Leyland announced that the Morris Minor, its longest running model which had been in production since 1948, would be discontinued in 1971 Chrysler UK launched its new Hillman Avenger The Government made a £20 million loan available to help save the financially troubled car and aircraft engine manufacturer Rolls Royce British Leyland launches its luxury Range Rover Thames sailing barge Cambria, the last vessel trading under sail alone in British waters, loaded her last freight, at Tilbury The last narrowboats to carry long-distance freight commercially on the canals of the United Kingdom arrived with their last load, coal from Atherstone for a west London jam factory The Mark III Ford Cortina went on sale British Leyland announce an improved Austin Maxi A Boeing 747 landed at Heathrow Airport, the first jumbo jet to land in Britain In April 1971, Italian production of GP/DL Lambrettas ceased and the Indian Government purchased much of the tooling, continuing production of GP/DL clone scooters as Scooters India Ltd (SIL). Innocenti / Lambretta was eventually sold to BLMC but, with long industrial strikes ensuing and scooter sales declining sharply, both Innocenti and Lambretta finally ceased business in 1972 In 1973, Arab oil producers imposed an oil embargo. The price of petrol rocketed, making all transport more expensive. There was even talk in Britain of rationing using coupons left over from the second world war. |
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Original Material Copyright SixtiesCity
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