EMC Motorcycles
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycle manufacturing |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | Joseph Ehrlich |
| Defunct | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Isleworth , United Kingdom |
Key people | Joseph Ehrlich |
| Products | Motorcycles, racing motorcycles |
EMC Motorcycles, also known as the Ehrlich Motor Co, was a motorcycle manufacturer from Britain located in Isleworth. The company was founded by Joseph Ehrlich, an Austrian immigrant and expert in engine tuning. Ehrlich developed distinctive two-stroke motorcycles and halted large-scale manufacturing in 1952 to concentrate on transforming DKW Rennsport Ladepumpe production racing machines into exclusive EMC racing models that achieved numerous victories over a span of 25 years. During the early 1960s, the EMC 125 cc racer ranked among the quickest in its category. Ehrlich departed the firm in 1967, and the business was ultimately dissolved in 1977.
History
Following World War II, Dr Joseph Ehrlich, a prosperous Austrian motorcycling enthusiast and specialist in two-stroke single-cylinder racing engines, founded EMC with a manufacturing facility based in Isleworth. The company's production primarily revolved around a 350 cc split-single motorcycle inspired by German designs, characterized by two cylinders and pistons sharing a single combustion chamber—one cylinder managing exhaust ports, the other handling transfer ports. To meet demand within the UK market, EMC also imported 125 cc split-single four-speed engines from Austrian manufacturer Puch.
Ehrlich persistently worked on improving engine capabilities, notably constructing a three-cylinder motorcycle engine in 1948 that was prohibited from competition due to its excessive power. EMC's racing motorcycles were piloted by elite riders such as Mike Hailwood, who secured fifth place in the 1962 125 cc world championship and clinched victory at the 1962 Saar Grand Prix. Beginning in 1981, EMC's 250 cc motorcycles achieved four wins at the Junior TT held on the Isle of Man, with one EMC model becoming the first 250 cc machine to surpass the lap record.
After stepping down from EMC in 1967, Ehrlich shifted focus to developing Formula 3 race cars and continued crafting bespoke 250 cc motorcycles equipped with Rotax engines into the 1980s. His final competitive motorcycle was completed in 1995 when he was 80 years old. Ehrlich’s technical knowledge also contributed to the creation of an 'Environmental Engine' featuring adjustable compression ratios and variable displacement aimed at enhancing emissions control and fuel efficiency—a promising innovation that did not reach commercial production before his passing in September 2003 at age 89.
Models
| Model | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EMC 350 cc | 1948 | Split-single cylinder design |
| EMC Model T | 1953 | Powered by Japanese engine |
| EMC 125 cc | 1963 | Twin-cylinder water-cooled engine |
See also
External links
- Defunct motorcycle manufacturers of the United Kingdom
- British companies established in 1946
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1946
- Companies disestablished in 1977
- 1946 establishments in England
- 1977 disestablishments in England
- Companies based in the London Borough of Hounslow
- Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of England
- British companies disestablished in 1977