From the archive

A sideways look at the world of sidecars and their use in the modern world?

From the start of the 20th century, the sidecar has proved its ability to help people go about their work. At Norfolk Motorcycle Museum, North Walsham, (norfolkmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk), there is an inline four-cylinder Hudson and outfit, used to deliver house coal in the winter and telegraph poles in the summer around Norwich. Telegraph poles. They then proved themselves in the tragedies of the World Wars.

During the 1950s the small commercial van came about and scale of economies made them more affordable. The Ford E93A, the British Leyland Mini, the Vauxhall Viva and the Ford Escort gave businesses, quite simply, a better solution to carrying stuff.

But the world has changed again. And who knows, but with the emphasis being more on economy, on a smaller footprint and on character, maybe the humble outfit may fit in with business plans. I, for one, would be glad to see them back. .