Sidecar Saturday at the Ace Cafe

Watsonian sidecars will be at London's famous Ace Cafe on Sidecar Saturday (31st March 2012) as part of the British manufacturer's centenary celebrations.

Founded by TF Watson in 1912, Watsonian has survived two world wars, the Great Depression  of 1929 (and numerous economic recessions that followed) and a devastating factory fire in 1930.  Today the company still makes Great British sidecars in the Heart of England, exporting across the globe.

Visitors to the Ace Cafe's Sidecar Saturday will have an opportunity to see the Watsonian Wizard outfit, based on the combinations that the factory supplied for the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  Watsonian supplied several sidecar Royal Enfield Bullet/GP Manx combinations to the film-makers for use in the spectacular chase sequence in which Harry Potter flees from the Death Eaters in a sidecar outfit driven by Hagrid.

Watsonian will also be promoting their centenary rally, which they are hostnig at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry on 18-19th Aug 2012.  Attractions include a display of historic sidecars along with the company archives, driving skills test, prizes for Best in Show, celebrity guests, trade stands and an opportunity to test ride Royal Enfield motorcycles, which have been distributed by Watsonian since 1999.      

For more information on Watsonian's current range of sidecars and details of the centenary rally call 01386 700907 or visit www.watsonian-squire.com.

Manx to the Manx

Product testing for British sidecar manufacturer Watsonian Squire is a family affair. Sales Director Ben Matthews has just returned from the Isle of Man, where he spent several days riding the company's latest GP Manx demonstrator outfit around the island's roads accompanied by his son Troy (12) in the chair.

Their trip coincided with the Manx Grand Prix, after which the sidecar is named; painted in distinctive light blue “Wizard” colour scheme, created to celebrate the appearance of Watsonian sidecars in the blockbuster movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the outfit attracted considerable attention wherever it went.

"I've been nagging my dad for the last few years to take me to the Isle of Man, so when he told me we were going to the Manx GP I was so excited!" comments Troy.

“Testing the outfits is certainly a fun part of the job” Ben admits. “But there's also a serious side to it, because a significant proportion of our customers are motorcyclists who want to include their family in their hobby. So it's important to test the outfits from the passenger's view.”

Troy certainly enjoyed the experience; "I love riding in the sidecar - it's so much fun, and it's a great way to explore the Isle of Man. I can't wait to go back next year".

Styled to replicate the traditional octagonal nose shape dating from the 1920's, the fibreglass Manx retains the aluminium beading originally used to hold the wooden body panels together. Prices for the Watsonian GP Manx start at £3995 and a full factory fitting service, with tuition for novice drivers, is also available. For more information on sidecars contact Watsonian-Squire on 01386 700907.

Hagrid's Motorbike

From show business to snow business

British sidecar manufacturer Watsonian Squire has been experiencing increased interest since one of their distinctive Manx outfits featured in the latest Harry Potter blockbuster, so the team at the Cotswold factory wasn’t going to let a little bit of cold weather stop the production line.

 

In the attached photos General Manager Rob Jones can be seen checking that it is possible to walk across the car park without freezing one’s assets and also that all icicles are neatly arranged.

 

Watsonian sidecar shines with the stars in Harry Potter and the Deatly Hallows

ONE of the “stars” of the latest, much-anticipated Harry Potter blockbuster due to be released nationwide next week hails from the north Cotswolds. The pale blue Royal Enfield motorcyle and Watsonian Manx sidecar which features in the seventh Harry Potter movie- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 -have been supplied by Blockley-based company Watsonian Squire.

Read the full article in The Cotswold Journal.

Ride on the side for Harry Potter in the Deathly Hallows

British built Watsonian sidecars help Harry Potter get off a to flying start in the latest movie – Deathly Hallows – which is due for UK release on 19th November 2010.  Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is rescued from his relatives’ house by Hagrid (played by Robbie Coltrane) riding a Royal Enfield Bullet Classic, paired with a Watsonian Manx sidecar.  Watsonian Squire supplied a number of sidecar outfits to be used in the dramatic chase sequence, filmed on location in and around London.  The Blackwall Tunnel has never looked so exciting!  Visit the official movie website at http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/mainsite/index.html

Harry Potter gets a ride on the side with Watsonian sidecars

Watch out for the Royal Enfield/Watsonian sidecar outfit in the latest Harry Potter movie.  Deathly Hallows premieres in UK cinermas on 19th November and we're expecting some spectacular sidecar stunts.

In case you're wondering why the young wizard is travelling by sidecar, he's being rescued from his home by Hagrid.

You can see a clip in the latest trailer at http://www.facebook.com/#!/HarryPotterUK

Now that's magic!