De Dietrich UK
of Selly Oak
1907 Societe Lorraine Dietrich acquired an English factory at Selly Oak, Birmingham in advance of the Patents and Design Act 1907 coming into force, to ensure the company could work its patents in the UK (in the same way as was done by other French, German and American makers)[1].
1907 Components Ltd saw little future in cars and had decided to dispose of that side of its business[2]. Lorraine Dietrich took over the Selly Oak works of Ariel and commenced manufacture in the UK with the 20-30-hp car.[3][4]
1907 'LORRAINE-DIETRICH LTD., Selly Oak, Birmingham. One type of car made. Designed to suit English conditions'[5].
1908 Motor Show featured separate stands for English-built and French-built cars[6]. The English-built machines were made in Birmingham. One had a specially-designed Mulliner cabriolet body; the other had an entirely enclosed carriage body by Salmons and Sons[7]. N.B. Ariels were shown on their own separate stand.
1908 April. Description of their factory at Selly Oak.[8]
1911 Receiver appointed to the British company.[9].
1911 Freehold engineering works at Selly Oak, formerly the automobile factory of Lorraine Dietrich Ltd, and machine tools, were to be auctioned on 12 December[10].
1914 Motorcar maker, address: Dale Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham[11].
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Times, 26 November 1908
- ↑ The Birmingham Car Industry [1]
- ↑ Automotor Journal 1907/11/09
- ↑ Automotor Journal 1907/11/16
- ↑ 1907 Motor Show (SMMT)
- ↑ 1908 Motor Show: A Review (3)
- ↑ 1908 Motor Show
- ↑ Automotor Journal 1908/04/18
- ↑ The World guide to automobile manufacturers, by Nick Baldwin, Brian Laban. 1987
- ↑ The Times, 6 December 1911
- ↑ Bennett's Business Directory for Warwickshire, 1914