Car Making In Caversham

We have to admit that prior to starting this web site way back when, we had no idea that cars were ever built in Caversham. However, thanks to invaluable contributions from Malcolm Buckler, now of the Isle of Man, Martin Brooks (particularly for information about Herbert Engineering) and a tip off from a site visitor still resident in Caversham - Mr Shepherd - we're slowly learning more. We are very grateful for all the help we've received on this front - it is very much appreciated. If you have anything else to add, about cars or any other aspect of Caversham's history, we'd be happy to hear from you.

» Buckler Cars
» Herbert Engineering
» British Motor and Engineering Co Ltd
» and a poem!

Buckler Cars

Buckler cars were made by a firm based in the Caversham Road from 1947 until closure in the '60s; they were designed by Malcolm's father, who lived on Woodcote Road.

Click here for photo gallery

There is a dedicated website in connection with the cars - do visit it for more information. We're pleased to be able to say that Buckler cars are still being cherished and, indeed, driven. About 12 of them were driven through Reading in 1997 for the Buckler Jubilee, and a group of enthusiasts did a tour to France, where the very first one to be made was recently discovered in Brittany - see the gallery (above) for details.

Herbert Engineering Co. Ltd

Herbert Engineering Co. Ltd., of Wolsey Road, Caversham, made serious motors of very high quality. All were sturdy, reliable and of a sporting nature, being very similar in price and appearance to the sports Bentleys of that time.

They were made during the period 1919 to 1931 and produced at least 10 differing models, from 1400cc to just over two litres. These had 4 cylinder engines up to 1928, when they changed to 6 cylinders.

In November 2009, Malcolm Buckler wrote with some more details about H.E. cars. He's recently found that in September 1921 a 2,120cc H.E. set new Class C records at Brooklands circuit for the flying half mile, flying kilometre and flying mile. (As always, many thanks Malcolm.)

Come December 2009, Martin Brooks emailed us with some excellent photos (see the gallery, below) and information about his Grandfather's involvement in H.E. We have reproduced Martin's complete email below because, quite simply, we found it very interesting as a snapshot into Reading/Caversham life, as well as for the additional light it throws on to H.E.

Click here for photo gallery

From Martin Brooks:

“John William (Bill) Brooks was born in Lincolnshire in 1891, from the time he was old enough he worked in his father's cycle shop in London (actual location unknown). In 1905 the family moved to Caversham where my Great-grandfather (John George Brooks) opened a cycle manufacturing shop in Church Street, Caversham. At this time my Grandfather went to work for Warricks the cycle manufacturer until WW1 when he was sent to war. From 1919 to 1931 my Grandfather then worked for Herbert Engineering where he was asked by a Mr R Scully to drive the H.E. cars they raced. He raced at Brooklands and in various hill climb events across the country. After the collapse of Herbert Engineering, he had various engineering/mechanicing jobs before joining Reading Corporation as a tram driver until his retirement.

“Between 1910 and 1928 he had nine children with his wife Eliza Florence Brooks (nee Jones but also known as Povey at one time) and they lived in a council house at 151 Henley Road. My father (William John 1926-2007) was the eighth of the nine children (the first seven were all girls). It was only in the mid sixties that they left Henley Road when the council re-housed them in a flat in new council estate on the other side of Reading (I can't remember exactly where). My Grandfather passed away in 1968 and is buried (with his wife) in Henley Road Cemetery.”

Thank you Martin. If anyone can shed any more light on these aspects of Caversham life (particularly, out of personal interest, the cycle shop), we'd be very pleased to hear from you.

British Motor and Engineering Co. Ltd

The 'British' was a short-lived make, from 1905 to 1907, but they listed four models, from a six horse power, two cylinder model of 700 cc up to a 16 horse power, four cylinder of over two litres. We don't know the exact address, nor do we have any pictures, but their address was just 'Caversham' which perhaps suggests they were based in the centre of what was then a considerably smaller and distinct village.

Extract from 'Wales Car-go', a poem by David James

Yes, Caversham Bridge, over Old Father Thames
Scene of many a good happy time
Of younger events, never caught through a lens
But in memory are printed so fine.

Memories of beautiful long summer days
Idling there by the shore
Of hiring a boat and the evening sun's rays
Reflecting redly off ripples galore.

But now times have changed and there's hardly a glance
At the spot where we once fished for trout
We don't look at the prom where we once used to dance
And had many a brawl with a lout.

Those were the days when we were trapped near our home
We had no car to take us for a ride
But our interests have changed, with the years, as we've grown
And now we are never inside.

Through Woodcote we'd race while we'd talk of the week
The police would pass by with a frown
With sometimes no spare and rads with a leak
It's a wonder we got out of town.

© David James 1988

The above was sent to us by Malcolm Buckler, who did himself go racing in Woodcote Woods!

For many years we reproduced the above without having been able to contact the author. Then, in September 2008, we heard from Dave James himself - now resident in Western Australia, who kindly gave us his blessing to use it. To say we were chuffed is an understatement. Thank you Dave. (Dave James' website is available here, and it makes for a good read. A life well lived!)