Rex-Acme
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive, Motorcycle manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Birmingham Motor Manufacturing and Supply Co |
| Founded | 1900 in Birmingham, England |
| Fate | Merged with Allard and later Coventry Acme; motorcycle production ended 1933 |
| Successor | Rex Acme (after 1922 merger) |
| Headquarters | Birmingham; later Coventry , England, United Kingdom |
Key people | William Williamson (founder), Frederick W. Allard, George Pilkington, Wal Handley (rider and director) |
| Products | Cars, motorcycles, tricars, sidecars |
| Parent | Mills-Fullford (from 1932) |
Rex, Rex Motorcycles, and Rex-Acme—distinct from the German brand of a similar name—was a British manufacturer specializing in cars and motorcycles, established in Birmingham in 1900. The firm later merged with Allard, a Coventry-based bicycle and automobile producer, and in 1922 joined forces with Coventry's Acme motorcycle company to create 'Rex Acme'. Operating until 1933, it became a prominent figure within the British motorcycle sector.
Company History
In 1901, William Williamson founded the Birmingham Motor Manufacturing and Supply Co, which produced light vehicles under the Rex brand, including a 1.75 hp motorcycle and a small car. The business was officially registered in Birmingham, while its production facilities were located in Coventry.
The following year, 1902, Allard & Co—founded by Frederick W. Allard and George Pilkington—purchased the company's assets and goodwill. Initially bicycle manufacturers who had diversified into motor tricycles and lightweight automobiles, they rebranded the enterprise as Rex Motor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., based in Earlsdon, Coventry. Their product range expanded to encompass three- and four-wheeled cars alongside motorcycles. However, the original founders departed in 1911 due to disagreements within the board.
In 1919, Rex Motor Manufacturing combined with Coventry Acme, leading to motorcycles being marketed under the Rex-Acme name by 1921. The brand gained significant recognition through racer Wal Handley, who served both as a rider and director before moving on to other companies in 1928. By 1932, sidecar manufacturer Mills-Fullford acquired Rex-Acme but discontinued motorcycle production the following year. Other distinguished racers linked to Rex-Acme included H. G. Tyrell Smith, Arthur Taylor, Charles Needham, Hans Hasenauer, Felice Bonetto, Karl Machu, and Otto Cecconi.
Rex Cars and Tricars
The "Rex King of British Motor Cars" was introduced at the 1901 Crystal Palace motor exhibition as a 6.5HP four-seater model, which had increased to 16HP by its appearance at the 1903 Agricultural Halls show. The display featured an exclusive 10HP water-cooled single-cylinder engine equipped with an automatic inlet valve.
In May 1904, the company unveiled the Rexette, dubbed the "King of Little Cars," a tandem-seat tricar delivering 5HP through a single rear wheel.
Rex Motorcycles (1902 - 1922)
From 1902 onward, Rex promoted its motorcycles as lightweight performers under 100 pounds excelling in speed, hill climbing ability, and fuel efficiency.
By 1903, their motorcycles incorporated proprietary single-cylinder and V-twin engines driving the front wheel following the Werner layout. The 1904 models featured a 372 cc engine with integrated silencer and cylinder casting. In 1905, they offered a side-valve variant rated at 3.25 hp. The 1907 Rex Lightweight introduced a redesigned frame with a 362cc engine featuring an automatic inlet valve and direct belt drive. At the Stanley Show in 1908, Rex showcased both 3.5HP singles and 5HP twin-cylinder machines equipped with automatic inlet valves; the twin models included two-speed gearboxes. The lineup for 1909 added two-stroke engines alongside 'Speed King' models characterized by rigid frames, unsprung forks, and direct belt drives.
Subsequent versions utilized Blackburne engines of 532 cc and 896 cc capacities combined with Roc patent gear hubs. After dismissing its founders in 1911, Rex resumed producing engines internally under George Hemingway's leadership while continuing to offer models powered by outsourced engines. Key technological advancements included telescopic front forks (introduced in 1906), rotary-valve engines, and pioneering a downward-sloping top tube design in 1908 aimed at lowering rider posture. By 1914, their range comprised a 349 cc two-stroke alongside V-twin engines up to 940 cc.
Significantly, Muriel Hind—recognized as England’s first female motorcyclist—acted as both demonstrator and test rider for Rex machines. In 1910, Rex developed the Blue Devil model specifically for her; it was named due to its challenging starting characteristics and featured a blue devil emblem prominently displayed on the fuel tank.
Following World War I, Rex transitioned from its original 550 cc side-valve single-cylinder engine to Blackburne-powered machines that included longer wheelbase variants designed for sidecar use. Single-cylinder models were standardized at 499 cc while V-twins reached up to 998 cc capacity.
Rex Acme (1922 - 1933)
Rex-Acme motorcycles were equipped with engines varying from 173 cc up to 746 cc, including side-valve and overhead valve Blackburne units, side-valve JAP powerplants, as well as a 348 cc sleeve valve Barr & Stroud engine. In 1928, the company introduced a 346 cc overhead valve MAG engine.
The 1929 range featured 346 cc overhead valve models with two JAP engine options (74 mm bore x 80 mm stroke and 70 mm bore x 90 mm stroke), some of which had double port configurations; a 746 cc JAP V-twin; 496 cc side-valve singles driven by either JAP or Blackburne; economical 300 cc side-valve singles utilizing JAP or Blackburne engines; the Speed King, available with two versions of the 346 cc Blackburne overhead valve engine; and two variations of a 496 cc Blackburne overhead valve single-cylinder. Additionally, a super sports model powered by a 172 cc Villiers engine was part of the lineup.
In later years, Rex-Acme expanded their motorcycle offerings by integrating MAG and Sturmey-Archer engines.