3rd July 2019
From the first all-British four-wheeled petrol car, to today’s performance luxury cars there is a connection of innovation and technology that flows through like letters through a stick of rock, spelling ‘Lanchester’.
Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling was introduced to Lanchester cars in the early 1900s when Works Manager Max Lawrence drove a demonstration 10h.p. car to his sisters who had recently founded Roedean School near Brighton.
In 1923, Fred formed a new venture called Lanchester Laboratories Ltd, in partnership with Daimler. The company later produced sound equipment including speakers and radios designed by Fred, which were available by mail order. The Lanchester Company was the 1st European company to use cellulose paint.
In 1894, Fred wanted to test the engine destined for the first motor car but he was unable to try the advanced single cylinder engine on the road. The Locomotive Act of 1865 required all road locomotives, which included cars, to travel at a maximum of 4 mph in the country and 2 mph in the city, as well as requiring a man carrying a red flag to walk in front of road vehicles hauling multiple wagons!
Fred was an entrepreneur as well as an inventor and designer and was involved in many companies (not always successful ones) during his lifetime.
Fred became interested in optics and ophthalmology and he met Robert Lockhart, Professor of Anatomy at Birmingham University, beginning a life-long friendship.
Between 1888 and 1946 Fred Lanchester (and his brothers) successfully patented over 200 hundred inventions. They are all available to search in the patent area of the online archive but the sheer variety as well as quantity can be overwhelming!
Lanchester cars have a long association with member of the Royal Family. Albert, Duke of York purchased a 40hp Lanchester limousine in 1925, establishing a long history of royal support for the Lanchester brand. The future George VI’s daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, made her first public appearance in this same car at only six weeks old. After the abdication crisis when King George ascended the throne Frank Lanchester was able to accquire a Royal Warrant for the Lanchester Motor Company.
Although Fred was not really interested in racing, the powerful 40 h.p. chassis of the 1920s led several individuals to use the cars for records attempts, especially at the iconic Brooklands racing circuit.
