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Britain By Car - A Motoring History

Biggleswade

A market town in central Bedfordshire, and formerly a staging post for horse-drawn coaches. In June 1785, it was gripped by a great fire, which destroyed almost a third of the town.  During the latter part of the twentieth century Biggleswade almost doubled in size.  Today it is a centre for light industry and agricultural trades, and has been the home of Jordan’s Cereals since 1883.

Berkeley’s first car, the Berkeley Sports, 1956, © National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

Berkeley Cars Ltd.

Made by a company better known for its caravans, the first Berkeley was Britain’s only front-wheel-drive four-wheeled car.

Location
Berkeley Cars Ltd, Hitchin St., Biggleswade.

Date
1956 - 1961.

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Dan Albone and his wife, Elizabeth, in the first Ivel motor car, source: The Motor-Car Journal 1st December 1899

Ivel

A short-lived motoring marque established by Dan Albone - a pioneering cycle manufacturer and the inventor of the first practical modern tractor.

Location
The Ivel Cycle and Motor Car Works, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade.  (The Ivel Works and the Ongley Arms lay on a piece of land running down to the river on the west side of Shortmead Street at the junction with Sun Street.)

Date
1899 - 1900 (motor manufacture).

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