I found this Honda advert below in a 1960 issue of the UK magazine Motor Cycle. I always believed that Honda sent C100s to Elswick-Hopper for evaluation and they never bothered to even un-crate them as they had a consortium of British manufacturers that planned to produce their own bike. I think the later Honda adverts listed the C100 range being a Scooter place in Aspley Nottingham. Also I always understood Elswick-Hopper HQ as being in Barton-upon-Humber Lincolnshire.
Then I found this on the Internet.:
Lynx
In the early 1950s Elswick embarked on a moped project, working with Trojan to test the Piatti Mini-motor. This came to naught and a little later they tested a Dunkley engine, which proved disappointing. A VAP 57 engine was the next in line, and proved a winner. It was displayed at the 1960 Earls Court show, presented as a Scootamatic Lynx.
Sadly, production costs proved too high and it did not enter production. Six prototypes were constructed, of which two remain.
Then I got this from a guy on F.B.
Rob Charles
"I know the story of Honda and Elswick Hopper, a friend of mine wrote an extremely detailed book about the company. It appears to be true Honda sent EH a C100 for evaluation, there was also a suggestion that EH were offered a distribution deal for small Honda motorcycles. EH did not appear interested in the Honda and it languished in a building unused. During this time they were evaluating a couple of more traditional mopeds. I suspect like a lot of other companies, they ignored it because it was Japanese. It is mentioned in the book. Keswick Hopper of Barton on Humber, by Nigel Land. Slightly ironic, my Nephew runs his business from what was the EH factory's toolroom."
So Elswick Hopper passed on a unique opportunity. Out Local Honda dealer in 1960 went to Maico to buy their scooters to sell and spotted the C100's though and started to sell them in around 1959. seems Honda published Elswick-Hopper as suppliers a bit prematurely.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
