HILLSBOROUGH SIDECARS - Info urgently required..

[Pantherman]

Hi, I'm new to this forum but have joined because I've recently bought an old Hillsborough Lonsdale double adult sidecar that was originally made in Sheffield in the 1950s.

 

My sidecar has seen better days but I'm determined to sympathetically restore it to as near original condition as possible, as I believe it could be the only one left in existence and is therefore an important piece of Sheffield history. My intention is then to attach it to a 1950s Panther M100 motorcycle (also made in Yorkshire) that I'm currently restoring.

 

Please can anyone with any knowledge at all about this make of sidecar, the people who made it, original brochures, design info etc. etc., please respond to this posting or get in touch with me direct.

 

Please put the word out about this as there must be people out there in Sheffield who must know about Harry Hodgson and his Hillsborough sidecar Company and their products. Many thanks in anticipation.

 

Steve

[caw130686]

Hi,

 

Harry Hodgson was my Great-Grandad.

I will see if I can get you any more information on the sidecar, if you are still interested.

[terminator]

Ill see if my mates anything left on classic side cars and bikes i know exactly the one your on about i had that unit on BSA.

Cant help with Harry Hodgson and his Hillsborough sidecar Company and their products though soz.

 

Update soz he,s had a clear out now nothing left i can remember side car but thats about it lol.

Edited February 2, 2011 by terminator

[Pantherman]

Hi,

 

Harry Hodgson was my Great-Grandad.

I will see if I can get you any more information on the sidecar, if you are still interested.

 

FABULOUS..!! I'd really welcome any info at all. I do an internet search most days on this subject, with no results at all. Most folk haven't even heard of a Hillsborough sidecar. I can tell that mine is extremely well made - your Great-Grandad was obviously a real craftsman.

 

I look forward to hearing any info you can find.

 

Cheers, Steve

[Mister H]

Hi some friends pointed me to this thread, I am the eldest Grandson of Harry Hodgson and lived at the side of the factory in Leader Road which was 78 -84 Leader Road, My grandfather made sidecars for almost 10 years and many were fitted to Vincent Motorcycles, When I was 16 he gave me a Vincent Comet 500cc bike, wow I wish I still had it now. He made a number of different models from a single seater sports ( copy of a German Busmaer ) single adult, Child/ Adult and Double Adult models. All the models had names from Streets around the area, Lonsdale and Chilton come to mind but there were others. The early ones were built with an ash frame and then covered in an aluminium skin, the later larger ones were cut from 8 X 4 Israel Marine ply wood and skinned in aluminium. I used to help in the building from being about 11 as also was my cousin Steve Pinson, I used to help my Dad Harry with the upholstery for the interiors and later when I got to 14-15 I would test ride them ( unknown to my Grandad ) before they went back to the customer. Interiors on early models were Leatherette and at some point the were sprayed in a Flock which resembled suede and some were in a multi colour speckled paint. If any one has an Old Hillsborough Sidecar and would consider selling it I would be very interested.

 

Alan Hodgson

[Pantherman]

Hello Alan Hodgson, thank you very much for your posting - absolutely fascinating. I recently sent you a couple of PMs on this subject. Just hoping that you received them ok? I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers, Steve

[Mister H]

Hi, i tried to answer your PM's but this site will not allow me ( or anyone ) to reply to PM's until we have replied to 5 threads, so sorry and that's why the reply on the forum.

Hope you get on well with the restoration, and i look forward to seeing the finished sidecar.

[bassett one]

i would love you at our event next august 14th if your bike/side cars are ready,good luck either way