Historian and CovSoc member Peter James tells us the story of the Francis Family, which made a significant contribution to Coventry’s automotive history. Peter writes….
Lea and Francis
Richard Henry Lea was employed at Singer Motors for 17 years when In 1895 he left to form a partnership with Graham Inglesby Francis. Together they founded Lea and Francis in Days Lane to manufacture bicycles.
They concentrated mainly on producing bicycles for men but not exclusively.
Part of an early Lea & Francis sales brochure featuring bicycles
Car & Motorcycle Production
In 1903 the company expanded its range by signing an agreement to build cars under licence from Singer Motors. Some years later in 1912 they began to build motorcycles using a design by Richard Lea and a small team of engineers. Lea Francis produced motorcycles from 1912 until 1924 making a total of 1500 after which they turned their attention to car production.
Focus on Cars
The Hyper was launched in 1927 and became Britain’s very first production car fitted with a supercharger. It was entered in races and achieved success winning the 1928 TT. However an attempt to expand the range and move upmarket was unsuccessful and the business went into receivership a few years later.
New Management
By 1937 the company had a new management team and moved from Lower Ford Street to Much Park Street. Former Riley employees Hugh Rose and George Leek purchased the assets and the company was renamed Lea -Francis Engineering. After the Second World War production levels were constrained by funding issues. Financial difficulties had affected the company throughout its history. Despite this it continued to build cars and finally ceased trading in 1962. An estimated 100,000 Lea Francis cars were produced during the lifetime of the company.
Francis Barnett Ltd.
Francis Barnett Ltd. was established in Lower Ford Street in 1919 to manufacture motorcycles. It was founded by Gordon Inglesby Francis the son of Graham Inglesby Francis and Arthur Barnett his father-in-law. Gordon married Annie Elizabeth Barnett in Coventry in June 1916 while serving in the British Army during WW1. He had gained valuable experience working on military motorcycles in the motor transport workshop. Arthur Barnett, a former director of Singer Motors, had been involved as a designer and builder of motorcycles at Invicta since 1913. The company began trading in Lower Ford Street in premises formerly used by Bayliss Thomas & Co. to manufacture Excelsior motorcycles.
The Excelsior, first produced there in 1896 was the first British-built motorcycle.
Francis-Barnett focused on producing lightweight motorcycles for the mass market. Initially they used Villiers engines and developed innovative frame designs. Motorcycle production continued from 1919 to 1966. Associated Motor Cycles AMC took over Francis & Barnett Ltd. in 1947. As the factory in Lower Ford Street had been destroyed during the Second World War, AMC moved production to the James motorcycle factory in Gough Road. Greet in Birmingham.
Arthur Barnett
Arthur continued working until his death in 1936 when his son Eric became sales director maintaining the family connection. During his life he was active in Coventry municipal affairs where he served on the library committee. He was also chairman of the Coventry Permanent Building Society. In August 1937 a memorial service was held at Coventry Cathedral to commemorate his life.
Clarendon Pressings & Welding Company
The company was formed in 1929 with Arthur Barnett as chairman and Gordon Francis joint managing director. They were based in 37 Clarendon Street in Earlsdon, Coventry the former home of the Harrington Bell Foundry. The company produced parts for the motor industry with Francis Barnett being a major customer. The components for motor cycles included silencers, tanks, leg shields, chain guards and number plates. When Arthur Barnett passed away in July 1936 aged 72 years his son Eric Barnett took over his role at the company. Eric reputedly said that the company was like a family.
The Francis family played an outstanding role in the motoring history of Coventry, especially in motorcycle development and production commencing in the late nineteenth century.