1880 Coventry Machinists’ Co ‘Special Club’ Ordinary (Australia)

‘The cycle trade in Coventry grew out of the Coventry Sewing Machine Company, founded in 1863, which was finding it difficult to expand and decided to diversify. In 1868, their Paris agent obtained an order for 400 velocipedes to be exported to France, but the Franco-Prussian War forced the company to build up a home market instead; the name was changed to Coventry Machinists’ Company in 1869.

At this time James Starley was foreman of the company and was instrumental in helping to bring about several improvements to the basic velocipede; however, in 1870 he left to set up in business with William Hillman. The first important bicycle they produced was the Ariel, an attempt at making a lightweight all metal machine.’

1880 Coventry Machinists Co ‘Special Club’ Ordinary

56″ Front wheel

19″ Rear wheel

including King of the Road Hub lamp

Located in Australia

(Now sold)

As Britain’s first cycle manufacturer and leading velocipede maker, the Coventry Machinists Co had a serious reputation to uphold, so their ordinaries were state-of-the-art machines. The Special Club was introduced in 1880. The front wheel used Starley’s patent tangent spoking. Innovations included patented hollow oval backbone, hollow forks and front wheel rim, and a cushioned saddle mounting to provide a degree of suspension for a more comfortable ride.

This example is in excellent original unrestored condition, complete with hub lamp. It has been on display in the Farren Collection museum, in Melbourne, Australia, for many decades and this is the first time it has been offered for sale.