COVENTRY CHALLENGE
Started in 1903 by Francis O’Brien, the company became the Challenge Cycle and Motor Company in 1909, operating out of the impressive brick and stone Challenge Works on Foleshill Road in Coventry. Like many companies, it began life as a bicycle manufacturer with O’Brien then fitting engines into his heavy-duty bicycle frames. A variety of engines was used, including Fafnir, JAP, Precision, Minerva and Villiers. The company also marketed its Fore-Carriage, described (by Coventry Challenge it should be added) as “the best designed, strongest, easiest-running Carriage yet produced”.
Production of motorcycles ceased for the duration of the First World War (when military bicycles were manufactured) before resuming after the war for a short time and finally coming to a permanent halt in 1922. Despite the best efforts of town planners and the Luftwaffe (sometimes it’s difficult to judge which caused more damage to a town), the Challenge Works survives and is being converted into apartments.