Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

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Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 167,676 pages of information and 247,074 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

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[[Image:Im19200127Com-Mons.jpg|thumb| January 1920. ]]
[[Image:Im19200127Com-Mons.jpg|thumb| January 1920. ]]
[[image:Im19210223MoTr-AEC.jpg|thumb| February 1921.]]
[[image:Im19210223MoTr-AEC.jpg|thumb| February 1921.]]
[[Image:Im19210516MTR-AEC.jpg|thumb| May 1921. ]]
[[Image:Im19210516MTR-AEC2.jpg|thumb| May 1921. 'B' Type. ]]
[[image:Im19250915CM-Asso.jpg|thumb| September 1925.]]
[[image:Im19250915CM-Asso.jpg|thumb| September 1925.]]
[[image:Im19221104MC-Asso.jpg|thumb| November 1922.]]
[[image:Im19221104MC-Asso.jpg|thumb| November 1922.]]
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[[Image:Im1933EnV156-p486.jpg ‎|thumb|1933.130 H.P. Six Cylinder Oil Engine. ]]
[[Image:Im1933EnV156-p486.jpg ‎|thumb|1933.130 H.P. Six Cylinder Oil Engine. ]]
[[Image:Im19350830GWR-AEC.jpg ‎|thumb| Aug 1935. [[Great Western Railway|Great Western Railway]]GWR Centenary. ]]
[[Image:Im19350830GWR-AEC.jpg ‎|thumb| Aug 1935. [[Great Western Railway|Great Western Railway]]GWR Centenary. ]]
[[Image:Im1937MotSC-AEC.jpg|thumb| October 1937. Marine engines. ]]
[[Image:Im1937Eng-AEC.jpg|thumb| 1937. Railcars. ]]
[[Image:Im1938v166-p678.jpg ‎|thumb| 1938. ]]
[[Image:Im1938v166-p678.jpg ‎|thumb| 1938. ]]
[[Image:Im1938v166-p702.jpg ‎|thumb| 1938. ]]
[[Image:Im1938v166-p702.jpg ‎|thumb| 1938. ]]
[[Image:Im1938v166-p728.jpg ‎|thumb| 1938. ]]
[[Image:Im1938v166-p728.jpg ‎|thumb| 1938. ]]
[[Image:Im1938MotSC-AssE.jpg|thumb| October 1938. ]]


[[Image:ImOEM1943-AEC.jpg|thumb| 1943. ]]
[[Image:Im201111-AEC.jpg|thumb| 1940s. The factory at work. ]]
[[Image:Im201111-AEC.jpg|thumb| 1940s. The factory at work. ]]
[[Image:Im1948MotSC-AEC.jpg|thumb| 1948. Marine Oil Engines. ]]
[[Image:Im194903CV-AEC.jpg|thumb| March 1949.]]
[[Image:Im194903CV-AEC.jpg|thumb| March 1949.]]
[[Image:Im194903CV-Shep.jpg|thumb| March 1949. Mr. B. Shepherd, Sales Rep. for East Anglia.]]
[[Image:Im194903CV-Shep.jpg|thumb| March 1949. Mr. B. Shepherd, Sales Rep. for East Anglia.]]


[[Image:Im1951MShow-AEC.jpg|thumb| October 1951. ]]
[[Image:Im1951MShow-AEC.jpg|thumb| October 1951. ]]
[[Image:Im1953MotSC-AEC.jpg|thumb| October 1953. Marine engines. ]]
[[Image:Im19590220En-AEC.jpg|thumb| February 1959. Marine and Industrial Division. ]]
[[Image:Im19590220En-AEC.jpg|thumb| February 1959. Marine and Industrial Division. ]]


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==Background==
==Background==
1908 The company evolved from the merger of the [[London Motor Omnibus Co]] - which ran its "Vanguard" buses on services in the capital from their works at Walthamstow - and the mighty [[London General Omnibus Co]] (L.G.O.C.)  
 
1908 The company evolved from the merger of the [[London Motor Omnibus Co]] - which ran its "Vanguard" buses on services in the capital from their works at Walthamstow (also see [[MOC]]) - and the mighty [[London General Omnibus Co]] (L.G.O.C.)  
   
   
In the early 20th Century the chassis for London's buses were mainly imported; the enlarged '''L.G.O.C.''' built a bus chassis to its own design at Walthamstow Works.  
In the early 20th Century the chassis for London's buses were mainly imported; the enlarged '''L.G.O.C.''' built a bus chassis to its own design at Walthamstow Works.  
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1912 The '''L.G.O.C.''' was taken over by the [[Underground Electric Railways Co]] of London.
1912 The '''L.G.O.C.''' was taken over by the [[Underground Electric Railways Co]] of London.


1912 The Underground Electric Railways Co (UERC) separated off the chassis-building activities to form the '''Associated Equipment Co''' better known as '''AEC'''.  
==Formation of AEC==
 
1912 The Underground Electric Railways Co (UERC) separated off the chassis-building and repair activities, of the various allied undertakings, into a separate company, the '''Associated Equipment Co''' better known as '''AEC'''. AEC also owned the [[Metropolitan Steam Omnibus Co]].<ref>The Times Feb. 11, 1913</ref><ref>The Times Nov 03, 1933</ref>


A five-year agreement was made between [[AEC]] and [[Daimler]], who became the sole agents for the AEC chassis sold to companies outside the UERC. The agreement came to a premature end in 1916 when AEC came under direct Government control for the duration of the war.  
A five-year agreement was made between [[AEC]] and [[Daimler]], who became the sole agents for the AEC chassis sold to companies outside the UERC. The agreement came to a premature end in 1916 when AEC came under direct Government control for the duration of the war.  
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The majority of AEC vehicles up until 1925 were built for the L.G.O.C., although some models were supplied to provincial customers but in relatively small numbers
The majority of AEC vehicles up until 1925 were built for the L.G.O.C., although some models were supplied to provincial customers but in relatively small numbers


1925 Start of construction of new factory at Hanwell, west of London.
1925 Start of construction of new factory at Hanwell, west of London (Southall).


1926 AEC and [[Daimler]] merged to form the short-lived [[Associated Daimler Co]] which was to be floated so that it would be free of the financial control of L.G.O.C. and therefore would be able to supply other companies <ref>The Times 25 June 1926</ref>.
1926 AEC and [[Daimler]] merged to form the short-lived [[Associated Daimler Co]] which was to be floated so that it would be free of the financial control of L.G.O.C. and therefore would be able to supply other companies <ref>The Times 25 June 1926</ref>.


1927 The first Southall chassis were completed early in the year and over the next fifty-two years AEC were leaders in the highly competitive field of commercial and passenger vehicle manufacture, responsible for classics such as the Matador artillery tractor, the Regal, Regent and Reliance series of passenger chassis, the Mammoth Major, Mandator and Mercury heavy goods chassis, and diesel-engines as the 7.7, 8.8, 9.6, 11.3 and 12.4 litre types.  
1927 The first Southall chassis were completed early in the year. Over the next 52 years AEC were leaders in the highly competitive field of commercial and passenger vehicle manufacture, responsible for classics such as the ''Matador'' artillery tractor, the ''Regal'', ''Regent'' and ''Reliance'' series of passenger chassis, the ''Mammoth Major'', ''Mandator'' and ''Mercury'' heavy goods chassis, and diesel-engines such as the 7.7, 8.8, 9.6, 11.3 and 12.4 litre types.  


Many thousands of buses, lorries, dump trucks and chassis for fire appliances were built for customers at home and overseas. AEC engines were also used in many other makes of chassis, and there were military, marine and industrial engine applications too.
Many thousands of buses, lorries, dump trucks and chassis for fire appliances were built for customers at home and overseas. AEC engines were also used in many other makes of chassis, and there were military, marine and industrial engine applications too.
UERC acquired the interests of LGOC in AEC<ref>The Times Mar. 16, 1927</ref>


1928 Introduced a six-cylinder CI engine of their own design under the Acro licence and ran it experimentally.
1928 Introduced a six-cylinder CI engine of their own design under the Acro licence and ran it experimentally.
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1928 Became private company.  
1928 Became private company.  


1929 [[Associated Daimler Co]] was de-merged into its 2 constituent parts just three years after formation.
1928 Built prototype tractors for the new company [[Rushton Tractors]] Ltd<ref>The Times Dec 11, 1928</ref>
 
1928/9 Problems with the Daimler engines led to the break-up of the [[Associated Daimler Co]] into its 2 constituent parts (i.e. [[AEC]] and [[Daimler]]).
 
1929 AEC paid its regular  dividend to its parent, UERC<ref> The Times, Mar 08, 1929</ref>
 
1929 Rushton Tractors Ltd took over the old AEC works at Walthamstow<ref>The Times Sep 16, 1929</ref>
 
1929 A working arrangement was concluded between the [[Associated Equipment Co]]., Ltd., and the [[Four Wheel Drive Lorry Co]]., Ltd., which also included [[Hardy Rail Motors]], Ltd. The principal units in the construction of F.W.D. and Hardy products will be of A.E.C make.


1937 British Industries Fair Advert for Industrial and Marine Oil Engines.  Also for buses, coaches, trolley buses, lorries, tip-wagons, rail cars etc. A.E.C. 6-cylinders 100 h.p. Marine Oil Engine, complete with reverse gear.  A.E.C. 27 K.W. Oil Engine, Ships' Auxiliary Set.  A.E.C. 60 K.W. Oil Engine, Generating Set, self-contained and transportable. (Engineering/Metals/Quarry, Roads and Mining/Transport Section - Stand No. D.820)
Many of these vehicles, because of their four wheel drive, have been selected for use with special equipment, such as fire pumps, cranes, grabbing machines, etc., and other equipment which the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., considers will be of great interest to many of its dealers and customers. All A.E.C. branches will be in a position to supply complete information regarding these chassis and equipment. Some of the latter can be incorporated in the A.E.C. chassis, and the company welcomes this arrangement, which it hopes will lead to the farther enlargement of its programme.<ref>Commercial Motor 22nd October 1929</ref>
 
1930 Description of 95 HP diesel engine of their own design to be used for LGOC omnibuses.<ref>[[Engineering 1930/11/07]]</ref>
 
1931 "[[Four Wheel Drive Lorry Co|Four Wheel Drive Motors]] was "connected with [[AEC]]"; they made [[Hardy Motors|Hardy]] vehicles, a special War Office design of 6 wheel vehicle<ref>The Times Nov. 10, 1931</ref>
 
1933 Agreement with [[Brooke Marine Motors]] of Lowestoft to build a marine engine closely based on the diesel engine built at Southall to be known as the Brooke-A.E.C. marine diesel<ref>The Times Sep 13, 1933</ref>
 
==End of UERC==
 
1933 After the formation of the [[London Passenger Transport Board]], the liquidators of the UERC distributed the shares in AEC to the shareholders of UERC, its previous parent<ref>  The Times, Oct 21, 1933</ref>. Became a public company.
 
1937 British Industries Fair Advert for Industrial and Marine Oil Engines.  Also for buses, coaches, trolley buses, lorries, tip-wagons, rail cars etc. A.E.C. 6-cylinders 100 h.p. Marine Oil Engine, complete with reverse gear.  A.E.C. 27 K.W. Oil Engine, Ships' Auxiliary Set.  A.E.C. 60 K.W. Oil Engine, Generating Set, self-contained and transportable. (Engineering/Metals/Quarry, Roads and Mining/Transport Section - Stand No. D.820) <ref>[[1937 British Industries Fair]] Advert p598; and p329 </ref>


1944 Producing diesel marine engines of either four or six cylinders and producing 47, 59 or 100 bhp.
1944 Producing diesel marine engines of either four or six cylinders and producing 47, 59 or 100 bhp.
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1948 Bought [[Crossley Motors]] and the [[Maudslay Motor Co]]
1948 Bought [[Crossley Motors]] and the [[Maudslay Motor Co]]


1948 The name of the group was changed to '''Associated Commercial Vehicles''' ([[ACV]]). AEC would become the manufacturing company and ACV the group holding company <ref> The Times, Saturday, Sep 04, 1948</ref>
1948 The name of the group was changed to '''[[Associated Commercial Vehicles]]''' (ACV). AEC would become the manufacturing company and ACV the group holding company <ref> The Times, Saturday, Sep 04, 1948</ref>


1949 Acquired the body-building company [[Park Royal Vehicles]] and its subsidiary of [[Charles H. Roe]] of Leeds.
1949 Acquired the body-building company [[Park Royal Vehicles]] and its subsidiary of [[Charles H. Roe]] of Leeds.


1961 Manufacturers of commercial vehicle chassis, diesel engines, railcars, etc. 5,000 employees.  
1961 Manufacturers of commercial vehicle chassis, diesel engines, railcars, etc. 5,000 employees. <ref>[[1961 Dun and Bradstreet KBE]]</ref>


1962 Taken over by [[Leyland Motors]]
1962 Taken over by [[Leyland Motors]].


1968 Announced the first V8 diesel engine to be designed and built in Britain.
1968 Announced the first V8 diesel engine to be designed and built in Britain.
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1977 The AEC name was discontinued.
1977 The AEC name was discontinued.


==Lorries==
== Lorries==
See [[AEC: Lorries]]
* [[AEC: Lorries]]
 
==Buses==
See [[AEC: Buses]]


== Buses ==
* [[AEC: Buses]]


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
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== Sources of Information ==
== Sources of Information ==
<references/>
<references/>
* British Lorries 1900-1992 by S. W. Stevens-Stratten. Pub. Ian Allen Publishing
* British Lorries 1900-1992 by S. W. Stevens-Stratten. Pub. Ian Allen Publishing
* Ian Allan - British Buses Since 1900 - Aldridge and Morris
* Ian Allan - British Buses Since 1900 - Aldridge and Morris
* The Modern Diesel edited by Geoffrey Smith. Published by Iliffe & Sons 1944
* The Modern Diesel edited by Geoffrey Smith. Published by Iliffe & Sons 1944
* [[The Engineer]] of 24th May 1968 p810
* [[The Engineer 1968/05/24]] p810
* [http://www.aecsouthall.co.uk/] Remembering A.E.C.
* [http://www.aecsouthall.co.uk/ Remembering A.E.C.]
* [[1937 British Industries Fair]] Advert p598; and p329
* [[1961 Dun and Bradstreet KBE]]


{{DEFAULTSORT: }}
{{DEFAULTSORT: }}
[[Category: Town - Hanwell]]
[[Category: Town - Hanwell]]
[[Category: Town - Southall]]
[[Category: Town - Southall]]
[[Category:Commercial Vehicles]]
[[Category: Town - Walthamstow]]
[[Category: Commercial Vehicles]]
[[Category: Marine Engines]]
[[Category: Internal Combustion Engines]]
[[Category: Coachbuilders - Automotive]]

Latest revision as of 11:09, 12 November 2024

1918. Manufacture of radiators.
1918.
1918.
1918.
1918.
January 1920.
January 1920.
February 1921.
May 1921.
May 1921. 'B' Type.
September 1925.
November 1922.
1933. Trolley Bus. Exhibit at Powerhouse Museum.
1933. 130 H.P. Oil Engined Racing Car.
1933. 38-130 H.P. Six Cylinder Oil Engine.
1933.Double Deck Trolley Bus A. E. C. and E. E. C.
1933.130 H.P. Six Cylinder Oil Engine.
Aug 1935. Great Western RailwayGWR Centenary.
October 1937. Marine engines.
1937. Railcars.
1938.
1938.
1938.
October 1938.
1943.
1940s. The factory at work.
1948. Marine Oil Engines.
March 1949.
March 1949. Mr. B. Shepherd, Sales Rep. for East Anglia.
October 1951.
October 1953. Marine engines.
February 1959. Marine and Industrial Division.
1960. AEC Marquise. Reg No: PSU 404.
Romford Brewery Co fire engine. Exhibit at the National Brewery Centre.

The Associated Equipment Company was a manufacturer of commercial vehicles from 1912 to 1977.

Background

1908 The company evolved from the merger of the London Motor Omnibus Co - which ran its "Vanguard" buses on services in the capital from their works at Walthamstow (also see MOC) - and the mighty London General Omnibus Co (L.G.O.C.)

In the early 20th Century the chassis for London's buses were mainly imported; the enlarged L.G.O.C. built a bus chassis to its own design at Walthamstow Works.

1912 The L.G.O.C. was taken over by the Underground Electric Railways Co of London.

Formation of AEC

1912 The Underground Electric Railways Co (UERC) separated off the chassis-building and repair activities, of the various allied undertakings, into a separate company, the Associated Equipment Co better known as AEC. AEC also owned the Metropolitan Steam Omnibus Co.[1][2]

A five-year agreement was made between AEC and Daimler, who became the sole agents for the AEC chassis sold to companies outside the UERC. The agreement came to a premature end in 1916 when AEC came under direct Government control for the duration of the war.

The majority of AEC vehicles up until 1925 were built for the L.G.O.C., although some models were supplied to provincial customers but in relatively small numbers

1925 Start of construction of new factory at Hanwell, west of London (Southall).

1926 AEC and Daimler merged to form the short-lived Associated Daimler Co which was to be floated so that it would be free of the financial control of L.G.O.C. and therefore would be able to supply other companies [3].

1927 The first Southall chassis were completed early in the year. Over the next 52 years AEC were leaders in the highly competitive field of commercial and passenger vehicle manufacture, responsible for classics such as the Matador artillery tractor, the Regal, Regent and Reliance series of passenger chassis, the Mammoth Major, Mandator and Mercury heavy goods chassis, and diesel-engines such as the 7.7, 8.8, 9.6, 11.3 and 12.4 litre types.

Many thousands of buses, lorries, dump trucks and chassis for fire appliances were built for customers at home and overseas. AEC engines were also used in many other makes of chassis, and there were military, marine and industrial engine applications too.

UERC acquired the interests of LGOC in AEC[4]

1928 Introduced a six-cylinder CI engine of their own design under the Acro licence and ran it experimentally.

1928 Became private company.

1928 Built prototype tractors for the new company Rushton Tractors Ltd[5]

1928/9 Problems with the Daimler engines led to the break-up of the Associated Daimler Co into its 2 constituent parts (i.e. AEC and Daimler).

1929 AEC paid its regular dividend to its parent, UERC[6]

1929 Rushton Tractors Ltd took over the old AEC works at Walthamstow[7]

1929 A working arrangement was concluded between the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., and the Four Wheel Drive Lorry Co., Ltd., which also included Hardy Rail Motors, Ltd. The principal units in the construction of F.W.D. and Hardy products will be of A.E.C make.

Many of these vehicles, because of their four wheel drive, have been selected for use with special equipment, such as fire pumps, cranes, grabbing machines, etc., and other equipment which the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., considers will be of great interest to many of its dealers and customers. All A.E.C. branches will be in a position to supply complete information regarding these chassis and equipment. Some of the latter can be incorporated in the A.E.C. chassis, and the company welcomes this arrangement, which it hopes will lead to the farther enlargement of its programme.[8]

1930 Description of 95 HP diesel engine of their own design to be used for LGOC omnibuses.[9]

1931 "Four Wheel Drive Motors was "connected with AEC"; they made Hardy vehicles, a special War Office design of 6 wheel vehicle[10]

1933 Agreement with Brooke Marine Motors of Lowestoft to build a marine engine closely based on the diesel engine built at Southall to be known as the Brooke-A.E.C. marine diesel[11]

End of UERC

1933 After the formation of the London Passenger Transport Board, the liquidators of the UERC distributed the shares in AEC to the shareholders of UERC, its previous parent[12]. Became a public company.

1937 British Industries Fair Advert for Industrial and Marine Oil Engines. Also for buses, coaches, trolley buses, lorries, tip-wagons, rail cars etc. A.E.C. 6-cylinders 100 h.p. Marine Oil Engine, complete with reverse gear. A.E.C. 27 K.W. Oil Engine, Ships' Auxiliary Set. A.E.C. 60 K.W. Oil Engine, Generating Set, self-contained and transportable. (Engineering/Metals/Quarry, Roads and Mining/Transport Section - Stand No. D.820) [13]

1944 Producing diesel marine engines of either four or six cylinders and producing 47, 59 or 100 bhp.

1939-1945: A pdf copy of AEC's 'Contribution to Victory by the Associated Equipment Company Ltd.' book is available here.

1948 Bought Crossley Motors and the Maudslay Motor Co

1948 The name of the group was changed to Associated Commercial Vehicles (ACV). AEC would become the manufacturing company and ACV the group holding company [14]

1949 Acquired the body-building company Park Royal Vehicles and its subsidiary of Charles H. Roe of Leeds.

1961 Manufacturers of commercial vehicle chassis, diesel engines, railcars, etc. 5,000 employees. [15]

1962 Taken over by Leyland Motors.

1968 Announced the first V8 diesel engine to be designed and built in Britain.

1968 Double deck bus production ceased with the last Routemaster and Regent V types built that year.

1979 Southall's stay of execution lasted another five years until 25th May, when the final Marathon goods chassis left the production line and the works was closed down.

1977 The AEC name was discontinued.

Lorries

Buses

See Also

Sources of Information

  1. ↑ The Times Feb. 11, 1913
  2. ↑ The Times Nov 03, 1933
  3. ↑ The Times 25 June 1926
  4. ↑ The Times Mar. 16, 1927
  5. ↑ The Times Dec 11, 1928
  6. ↑ The Times, Mar 08, 1929
  7. ↑ The Times Sep 16, 1929
  8. ↑ Commercial Motor 22nd October 1929
  9. ↑ Engineering 1930/11/07
  10. ↑ The Times Nov. 10, 1931
  11. ↑ The Times Sep 13, 1933
  12. ↑ The Times, Oct 21, 1933
  13. ↑ 1937 British Industries Fair Advert p598; and p329
  14. ↑ The Times, Saturday, Sep 04, 1948
  15. ↑ 1961 Dun and Bradstreet KBE
  • British Lorries 1900-1992 by S. W. Stevens-Stratten. Pub. Ian Allen Publishing
  • Ian Allan - British Buses Since 1900 - Aldridge and Morris
  • The Modern Diesel edited by Geoffrey Smith. Published by Iliffe & Sons 1944
  • The Engineer 1968/05/24 p810
  • Remembering A.E.C.
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