1936 New Rapid Empire Girder
(Pressed Steel Frame)
Light Roadster Model
21″ Frame
26″ Wheels
Brooks Plyflex saddle
In their 1936 catalogue, New Hudson announced the “Patent Pressed Steel Girder Frame” as an “…entirely new method of frame construction that is tremendously strong, rigid, light, lively and distinctive in appearance” as well as “…embodying the latest aero practice, one piece chain and back stays, bolted together with nickel steel bolts.”
As the frame easily breaks down into separate parts, it’s a strong frame design suitable for unmade roads. As it is also named the “Empire,” I am sure it was designed with export in mind.
There are not many survivors of this pressed steel frame model, so it’s good to discover this unrestored example in excellent original condition. There’s one thing that makes it even rarer though, and completely unique – it’s not badged as a New Hudson but, according to its original transfers, it is a New Rapid!
New Hudson Cycle Co took over New Rapid Cycle Co around 1907, so presumably owned the name. But I’ve not seen any other New Hudson bicycles of this era badged as a New Rapid. Even the saddle is unusual – it’s a Brooks ‘Plyflex’, a model introduced around the same time and not often seen. This unique New Rapid Empire Girder is in good condition all round and ready to ride.
1936 NEW HUDSON CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
NEW RAPID CYCLE Co HISTORY
The company started out as Newton, Wilson & Co, which is historically significant because James Starley worked there between 1859 and 1861. The company built velocipedes in 1869. Newton, Wilson & Co was liquidated in 1880 and subsequently became St. George’s Foundry Co. The Despatch and New Rapid high wheelers were manufactured from 1881. Other models were Aurora, Diana and Leda.
The New Rapid was a well-publicized model, and the company won a gold medal at the 1885 International Inventions Exhibition in London for the New Rapid tangent wheel. In the mid-1880s the firm produced the Rapid Hill Gear, using spur gears, operated by a lever, to gear up and down. Presumably this influenced the company’s choice of a new name when it changed to New Rapid Cycle Co around 1893.
They made machines for Cooper Kitchen & Co until 1886, and exported to America through their agents S.T. Clark of Baltimore.
New Rapid Cycle Co were in financial difficulties around 1898. By 1907, Armstrong Triplex gears were being made at the St. George’s Engineering factory. New Hudson Cycle Manufacturing Co Ltd were major customers for the Armstrong Triplex gears, and it is believed that they took over the New Rapid Cycle Co.
BROOKS PLYFLEX SADDLE
