Watsonian Sidecars Centenary Rally Report

Watsonian sidecars' centenary rally attracted hundreds of visitors to Stoneleigh Park over the weekend of 18-19th August, with some riding their outfits from Belgium and Germany.  However, in terms of distance travelled, Watsonian's Japanese distributor, Corofi, beat them all.  Leaving Japan on 1st July, they drove their Yamaha Dragstar outfit from the eastern coast of Russia to Cabo da Roca in Portugal, the westernmost tip of Europe, finally arriving in Britain on 9th August. 

The Stareton exhibition hall at Stoneleigh housed a display of photographs, technical drawings, brochures and documents from the Watsonian archive, including the original patent for Thomas Watson's collapsible sidecar from 1912.  There were also historic sidecars including the 1933 Brough outfit that starred in the hit 1970′s sitcoms George and Mildred and Dad’s army, kindly loaned by the London motorcycle Museum, and a 1937 Rudge/Watsonian Sports combination from Coventry Transport museum.  There were even examples of Watsonian's bicycle sidecars.

By Sunday the Warwick hall was packed with an incredible array of outfits entered into the Concours, with Sunday's Best in Show awarded to the Royal Enfield Bullet 350/Watsonian outfit originally ridden by Frank Carey in the 1953 ISDT. 

There was entertainment of Saturday night, with a question and answer session starring 16-times Isle of Man TT champion Dave Molyneux, 9-times winner Mick Boddice, 1960's TT veteran Norman Hanks and Stan Dibben, who won the 1953 World Championship with Eric Oliver.  Guests could quench their thirst with a pint of Mr Watson's Bit on the Side, specially brewed for the event by the Pot Belly Brewery and The Bad Boys Band kept things rocking.     

Among the many other attractions was a sidecar driving skills test, devised by Watsonian's technical director, and an opportunity to test ride a Royal Enfield, distributed by Watsonian since 1999.

For more information on Watsonian sidecars call 01386 700907 or visit watsonian-squire.com. 

BARBOUR TEAMS UP WITH WATSONIAN FOR CENTENARY CELEBRATION

Barbour has joined forces with two of the oldest names in UK motorcycling, Watsonian Squire and Royal Enfield, to produce a one off sidecar outfit to celebrate Watsonian’s centenary year.

The combination consists of a gloss black Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle and  Watsonian GP Manx sidecar.  Both have taken Barbour’s iconic International Original A7 motorcycling jacket, famously worn by actor Steve McQueen in the 1964 International Six Day Trials, as their design inspiration.  The design incorporates the signature black and gold of the Barbour International logo, Barbour’s Modern tartan, grey cord and zip pulls from the original A7 jacket.  The outfit also sports a new tank badge, which includes both the Barbour and Royal Enfield logos, designed by the fashion photographer and film maker Nick Clements.

Founded by T.F.Watson in 1912, Watsonian sidecars provided an economical mode of transport for families throughout the UK.  The brand experienced considerable growth in the ensuing years, culminating in the height of its success in the 1950s. With the introduction of affordable family cars in the 60s, the company experienced an inevitable downturn in demand.   More recently interest in sidecars has increased again with demand growing year on year since the early 1990s.

Barbour, whose International motorcycle clothing was worn by almost every British team from the late 1930s until the 70s has a long association with Royal Enfield.  The great British trials rider Johnny Brittain, successfully rode Royal Enfield motorcycles in his Barbour International jacket throughout the 1950s and 60s.

The Barbour sidecar outfit will be on show at Watsonian's centenary rally on August 18th-19th and on the Royal Enfield stand at the Goodwood Revival from 14–16th September. For more information call 01386 700907 or visit www.watsonian-squire.com.