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A brief history of Watsonian Squire sidecars.

It all started with a brilliant idea in 1911. Birmingham builder Thomas ‘Fred’ Watson recognised a growing problem: sidecars couldn’t navigate the narrow alleys between the terraced houses that were common in industrial cities, preventing owners from safely parking them in their backyards. Fred’s ingenious solution? A patented ‘collapsible’ sidecar. Featuring a hinged rectangular chassis and long vertical body hinges, it could be easily folded and wheeled through tight spaces. The seat locked everything firmly in place but could slide aside to allow folding. Production began in 1912, and, by the outbreak of war in 1914, Watsonian offered an impressive 30 models.

Fred continued to innovate, even developing a sidecar ambulance. Peacetime brought new designs for leisure, sport, and tradesmen. The company thrived, moving to a larger Birmingham factory in 1922 and introducing another groundbreaking invention in 1926: the Kwikfit chassis. This clever system featured a permanent motorcycle subframe and quick-release clamps for the sidecar, allowing riders to easily switch between solo and sidecar riding. The hugely popular Kwikfit remained a staple until the late 1950s, when motorcycles became too powerful for its clamps.

Disaster struck in 1930 when a fire, sparked by a passing steam train, destroyed the factory. Undeterred, Watsonian relocated to larger premises in Birmingham’s Greet district the following year, developing an exciting new range for both motorcycles and bicycles. By the end of the decade, they offered a choice of 12 sidecar bodies and five motorcycle chassis, including the luxurious Oxford saloon and the aluminium-bodied International trials model.

World War II brought another shift, with sidecar production put on hold while Watsonian contributed to the war effort, manufacturing a million camp beds, half a million rucksack frames, and even portable aircraft hangars. When peace returned, the company mourned the loss of Fred Watson, who died in 1944. His son Ron took the helm after serving with the Army in the Far East.

Ron Watson proved to be as astute and energetic as his father, but he also brought a passion for motorcycle sport, recognising its promotional power. Collaborating closely with Norton Motorcycles and the brilliant sidecar pilot Eric Oliver, they pioneered revolutionary sports sidecars. Their success was unparalleled, winning every sidecar world championship from 1949 to 1953 – four with Oliver and one with Cyril Smith. This remarkable achievement marked the last time a British motorcycle manufacturer would win the title.

The 1950s were a golden age for sidecars, with over 130,000 outfits registered in Britain by 1952 – half of them Watsonian! Production at their Birmingham factory peaked at 200 units per week, and they embraced new materials like fibreglass. However, the rise of affordable small cars, like the Reliant Regal in 1953 and the Mini in 1959, led to a decline in sidecar popularity. Watsonian’s production figures tell the story: from 3,461 sidecars in 1962 to just 637 five years later.

The company adapted, shifting to automotive bodywork until a major Land Rover contract ended in 1981. This led to a relocation to their current home in the North Cotswolds and a significant merger in 1988 with the thriving Squire sidecars. This union injected new life into Watsonian. Squire had made their mark in 1973 with innovative sports sidecars designed for the new generation of Japanese superbikes. They also produced large numbers of sidecars for the influx of affordable East European motorcycles from MZ, Jawa, and CZ, introducing a new generation to the joys of three wheels.

Following the merger, Watsonian-Squire streamlined their range and production. As the 20th century closed, sidecars began a resurgence, their retro charm perfectly complementing the new wave of modern classic motorcycles like the Triumph Bonneville 790. Appearances in popular culture, from “Two Fat Ladies” to “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” have kept the iconic sidecar in the public consciousness.