Twickenham in London probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you think about where UK motor manufacturing began – most would point to Coventry. Yet Robin Hunter’s illuminating book Twickenham Motorcars: A Local History of Motor Manufacturing makes a compelling case that the country’s storied automotive industry actually began 125 years ago, on the banks of the River Thames – and to celebrate this unique heritage, a special event will take place in the area on July 5, 2025.
Given the importance of Victorian Britain’s river network following the Industrial Revolution, it’s little surprise that early experimentation with the internal-combustion engine began with motor boats rather than cars. By 1893, such boats were already being built on Eel Pie Island in Twickenham. The earliest craft were electric, but it wasn’t long before they were superseded by piston engines supplied by mechanical engineer Frederick Simms and the Daimler Motor Company.
Simms was a pioneering figure in the UK motor industry’s formative years, having established several ventures along the banks of the Thames well before Coventry built its first-ever car in 1897, the Daimler Motor Carriage. In fact, Simms’ Daimler-engined boats were some of the earliest internal-combustion-powered vehicles in the UK.
Twickenham’s experimentation with internal combustion naturally translated into early automobiles as the 1890s progressed. Indeed, Simms would go on to develop one of Britain’s first petrol-powered road vehicles – the 1895 Simms Motor Carriage – and his influence helped to attract similarly minded pioneers to the area.
By the turn of the 20th century, Twickenham had become an early hub of British motor manufacturing. The town’s first car, the New Orleans Voiturette, went on sale in 1900, and several small marques such as Mercury and Wyvern sprang up around Eel Pie Island. By the 1920s, motor manufacturing had peaked and was unable to compete with the industrialised might of larger companies in Coventry and Birmingham. And thus, memories of Twickenham’s motoring past began to erode with the decades that followed.
Happily, however, the combined efforts of local historian Robin Hunter and David Squires mean that Twickenham’s motoring past will not be forgotten.
To mark 125 years since the New Orleans Voiturette first went on sale, a special one-off event is being held at Moor Mead Park, St Margaret’s, Twickenham on Saturday July 5, 2025, as part of the local village fair.
The star attraction will be the display of four New Orleans Voiturettes, of which only five are thought to still exist. It will be the first time these cars have been reunited since they were built back in 1900, and the search continues for the elusive fifth and final example.
“This isn’t meant to be an annual event,” Squires explained over the telephone. “It’s a one-off celebration, and it will be the first time these cars have come together since they were on the production line.”
Robin Hunter was inspired to organise the event after being challenged by Classic and Sports Car magazine to track down the surviving Twickenham-built motor cars. After many hours of diligent research and work, he pretty much succeeded: “There are only five New Orleans cars left in the world, and Robin’s managed to get four of them to come to the event. He’s still hoping to get the fifth,” said Squires.
Complementing the New Orleans cars will be a showcase of other Twickenham-built vehicles, ranging from vintage motorcycles to commercial vehicles and even a Formula 3 car from a local team.
“The event is almost a sequel to the book,” Squires explained. “Robin’s research frames the story behind it – and gives people a chance to rediscover what once happened here, from early engineering to motor sport success. Even a Shelby Daytona Coupe was built in the area, yet hardly anyone knows about it.”
The 125 Years of Twickenham Motoring History event is free to attend, and more information is available here.
Robin Hunter’s fascinating book, Twickenham Motorcars: A Local History of Motor Manufacturing is available here.
