PATHE NEWS short films were played before the main feature at the cinema. In the days before TV took over, this was the primary form of advertising using moving pictures. Evelyn Hamilton was a champion cyclist and often appeared in the news to publicize cycle companies. Her road tests for Triumph to promote its new Moller Auto Cycle was a coup for the company and no doubt led to sales for Triumph. This example was sold by a cycle and motorcycle company that was a Triumph agent: I can see it appealing to motorcyclists as well as cyclists.
1936 Triumph Moller Auto Cycle
Semi-recumbent
21” Frame.
22 x 1 3/8” Wheels
(Recommended tyres: Velosolex motorcycle tyres 19 x 1 3/4″)
HEIGHT: 51″
WIDTH: 13″
LENGTH: 68″
‘SIT-OVER’ HEIGHT: Top of the saddle to the ground: 31″
Frame No 336040
The Mochet Velocar, introduced in 1932, created interest in the idea of semi-recumbent bicycles, and Danish engineer Holger Moller patented his variation, the ‘Moller Auto-cycle’, in 1935. It has a more upright position than the Velocar.
Triumph subsequently built a ‘Moller’ under license. Like other ‘novelty’ bicycles of the era, it does not appear to have been a fast-selling model, and was not greatly promoted by Triumph. Nevertheless it seems that for a short period the Triumph Moller did enjoy a reasonable production run. Its primary claim to fame retrospectively is the 1936 Pathe News footage of the Triumph Moller being road tested by the well-known racing cyclist Evelyn Hamilton.
This Triumph Moller was sold by Duplex Motors, the main cycle and motorcycle dealer in Darlington. You can see pictures of their shop and read about the sudden demise of the company further down the page.
It is an older restoration. The paint has weathered a bit, which gives it some patina – in fact the paintwork looks original. The chrome is good and the machine is in very good condition all round. The previous owner fitted French 550A tyres with whitewalls; these look lovely, but are a little wide for the rims. It should have 19 x 1 3/4″ Velosolex tyres, which are available on UK ebay for £79 a pair. Everything works well and the Triumph Moller is ready to ride.
CHAMPION RACING CYCLIST EVELYN HAMILTON
Evelyn being seen off on her London to John O’Groats ride by Ben Tillett (left) and Claud Butler (right), 1935
Evelyn Hamilton is perhaps best known as the pre-war long distance cyclist, friend of Claud Butler and owner of a cycle shop in Streatham, London during and after World War 2. In addition some may have heard of her exploits in occupied France …she was awarded the Cross of Lorraine by De Gaulle after the war. In 1931 Evelyn won the first women’s half-mile sprint handicap and the Sporting Life trophy at the old Stamford Bridge cinder track. Perhaps the fame that went with this win secured her a job two years later as a ‘double’ for Gracie Fields riding a bike in the latter’s film Sing As We Go. There exists a photograph of Gracie and her sister in an old car together with Evelyn and Jack on a tandem at the Bishop’s Arms, Finchley.
On 15th September 1934 Evelyn set off from Old Palace Yard, Westminster to ride 1000 miles in seven days. She was sponsored by Claud Butler and rode one of his silver bikes equipped with the then new Constrictor Osgear. In 84 hours of actual riding she covered the distance at an average speed of over 12mph. A year later, on 23rd September 1935, and again seen off by Claud Butler, Evelyn rode from London to John O’Groats – the 700 miles covered in just over four days. By now she was famous enough to be introduced to the crowd by Labour leader Ben Tillet and for Pathe News to take an interest – they filmed the start for their News in a Nutshell programme to be shown in cinemas. Pathe filmed her again the following year giving tips on cycling, fashion, massage and what not to do on a bike! *
– Michael Townsend, 2011
EVELYN HAMILTON TEST-DRIVES THE MOLLER
LINK TO THE PATHE NEWS MOVIE
TRIUMPH’S NEW VENTURE
DUPLEX MOTORS of DARLINGTON
Duplex Motors, owned by Tommy Alton, was the local centre for motor cycles and bicycles in the early days of their popularity.
Duplex Motors was founded by Tommy Alton. He was “…just a teenager in 1903 when he pawned the overcoat off his back and raised enough money to buy a pushbike with solid rubber tyres for 15 shillings. He hired it out for 6d-per-hour from a little shop in Grange Road, and quickly expanded into Belgian motorbikes and, by the time of the First World War, Canadian cars.
Grange Road was in those days on the Great North Road – the main London to Edinburgh road – and so ideally suited for a garage.
Mr Alton died in 1956, and his businesses passed to his relations, Fred Robinson and his sons, who owned Thomas Watson auctioneers.”
THE END OF DUPLEX MOTORS
“THOUSANDS of pounds worth of damage was caused when fire – the biggest in Darlington for many years – swept through the showroom and garage of the Duplex Motor and Cycle Company in Grange Road at the weekend,” reported The Northern Echo on Monday, July 10, 1967.
The blaze had broken out shortly after closing on Saturday evening, and the Darlington Fire Brigade was called out at 16.15. However, they found it difficult to locate the seat of the blaze in the warren of workshops behind Grange Road and so, an hour later, they took the unusual step of calling in outside assistance from County Durham brigade.
‘Four appliances, including a machine from Stockton brigade, raced to the scene,’ said the Echo. ‘Twelve breathing apparatus sets and a turntable ladder were used.’
Intense heat caused a minor explosion in the cellar of the showroom and two firemen had to scramble to safety through a shattered plate glass window. At least two new cars were burned and more than 20 motor-cycles, scooters and mopeds were destroyed as 50 firemen and police fought to control the blaze.
But many Darlingtonians benefited: fire damaged cars, with melted lights, and motorbikes, without rubber tyres, were sold off cheaply in the weeks that followed.”
Evelyn Hamilton info with thanks to Michael Sedgwick, published on Classic Lightweights – http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/builders/evelyn-hamilton-builders.html
Moller Auto-cycle picture with thanks to Brian Rosenberg – http://sofacykelgalleri.dk/
Other Moller pictures and advice on this model with thanks to Michael Grutzner.
