KING DICK HISTORY

Founded in central Birmingham in 1856, an advert from 1876 promotes items including gun components, wrenches and rollerskates. The original building still stands, and is partly residential housing.

BIKES TOO

Abingdon King Dick (AKD) built bikes up to the early 1930s. In 1928 one of their bikes took the 175cc four-hour speed record at Brooklands at 56.77mph.

STEP ON IT

A 1925 advert for the Abingdon King Dick wrench, a heavy duty adjustable spanner. The design was first patented in 1879 and produced in various sizes until the late 1970s.

SMART DRIVER

King Dick’s 146 fixed blade cross-tip screwdriver fits PZ 1, 2 and 3 and Philips 1, 2 and 3 heads hence its one-for-six (146) name. It’s a big seller for the firm.

TT RECORD

King Dick has had a hand in lap records and the first sub-17 minute lap at the Isle of Man TT (watch it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nlzxR6lN7Q).