Mystery tosolve
Our friend, VMCC and SMCC Quadrant marque specialist Eddie Keightley, passed me the accompanying photograph and amystery which, despite poring through endless books, files and photo boxes, I’ve not been able to solve.
The caption on the photo’s reverse reads ‘No 73, Quadrant Tricycle 1903, AGH Grundy.’ Eddie bought the photo from an online seller, believing it to be of a Quadrant and, although accepting nothing is impossible, Mr Keightley told me it is unlike any Quadrant he knows of, and Eddie has been researching and studying the marque for well over 40 years.
By the style of dress and the two pennants adorning this tricycle, the photograph must have been captured c1935-1955 and could have been taken during an SMCC or possibly VCC run and, if post Second World War, a VMCC event. It is known Mr Grundy was a VCC member who as well as enteringmotorcycle events took part in the Royal Automobile Club’s annual London to Brighton Commemoration Run, as it was known for many years, sometimes riding/driving a pre 1905 tricycle or, more often, a 1900 Progress Quadricycle with 2hp probably 327cc De Dion Bouton or ‘De Dion Pattern’ engine.
Adverts placed 1900/01 forThe Progress Cycle Co Ltd of Coventry inform they also made tricycles, but there is no evidence of the firm making forecar three-wheelers and, as Progress ceased trading in 1901, we can conclude the subject vehicle isn’t the
Progress. And if it isn’t a Quadrant, then what? After endless enjoyable research my best bet is a Rover, but I remain unconvinced, so it is over to you.