Straker-Squire

Straker-Squire (also known as Brazil Straker) was a British automobile manufacturer based in Bristol, and later Edmonton in North London.

The company was formed in 1893 at St Philips, Bristol, as Brazil, Straker & Co by the Irish Engineer J.P. Brazil and the London motor agent Syndey Straker [ [http://www.stobbe.dk/library/engines/bristol/bristol.asp Bristol Aeroplane Company Ltd] Retrieved on 2007-11-26.] . In 1899 Sidney Straker joined forces with Edward Bayley and went into production of steam wagons, joining in partnership with L.R.L. Squire in 1904 and production reached 200 steam wagons by 1906 [ [http://www.motormarques.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=64 Motormarques: Straker-Squire] Retrieved on 2007-11-28.] . The company moved into a new factory on Lodge Causeway, Fishponds, in 1907 at first to manufacture commercial vehicles, including large numbers of early London Buses, and a French car design under licence. The company also produced and successfully raced a number of its own car designs.

When World War I started Sir Roy Fedden, their chief designer, convinced the company to take on aircraft engine repair and manufacture, and that arm of the company was taken over by Cosmos Engineering in 1918. The company built staff cars and lorries during the war, and afterwards all production moved to Edmonton in North London in 1919. Car production continued until 1926 and Sydney Straker was killed in a hunting accident not long afterwards.

Car Models

The first pre-war models consisted of the Straker-Squire 16/20 and 12/14 Shamrock. Next, Fedden designed the 15hp model in three versons, which were more conventional than later designs influenced by the company's experience in aeroengines. These 4-seater 15-20 hp models were developed over 6 years and in advertising were described as the best medium powered cars on the world market. A specially prepared 15hp driven by Witchell took several records at Brooklands including the Flying Mile in 1910 at convert|95.54|mi/h|km/h|2|abbr=on (21 hp class), and the same year saw class wins at the Aston Clinton, Caerphilly, Pateley Bridge and Saltburn Hill Climbs. 1914 saw similar success including 4th in the TT.

Production of the 15hp was revived after World War I, which was joined by the large 6cyl 20/25, 24/80 and 24/90 models. The 24/90 was light, quick and noisy, it was guaranteed to meet convert|70|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and was priced at the 1919 Olympia Motor Show initially at £1,600. Straker's nephew H "Bertie" Kensington Moir or Aston Martin fame tested the prototype at Brooklands and set a class record lap at 103.76 mph [ [http://www.ukcar.com/carspecs/basicmodels.asp?maker=Straker-squire UK Car: Straker-Squire] Retrieved on 2007-11-28.] . The final cars built by Straker-Squire were the lighter 4cyl 10/20 and 12/20 models.

The full list of Straker-Squire models are: [Culshaw, David & Horrobin, Peter "The Complete Catalogue of British Cars" Veloce 1997 ISBN 0-9541-0639-3 p380.] :
*CSB. 1906. 25hp 4900 cc T-head engine. Imported French Cornilleau-Ste Beuve model. Competed in 1907 the Heavy-Car Tourist Trophy.
*16/20. 1907, 4cyl 2919 cc engine.
*12/14 Shamrock. 1907, 20hp 4cyl 2069 cc water-cooled engine, convert|10|ft|5|inm|abbr=on in length.
*14/16. 1909, 4cyl 2022 cc convert|15|hp|abbr=on engine, convert|12|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on in length. Completed in the RAC 2,000 Miles Trial and was placed 3rd in class.
*15 hp Mark 1. 1910 model, 4cyl 2851cc 5-valve engine, convert|12|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on in length.
*15 hp Mark 2. 1911-13 model. As above but heavier and convert|13|ft|1.5|in|m|abbr=on in length.
*15 hp Mark 3. 1914-22 model. Improved 4cyl 3054 cc side valve engine and convert|13|ft|7|in|m|abbr=on in length.
*20/25. 1920-25, 6cyl 3920 cc engine with overhead cam, convert|70|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on at 2400 rpm, convert|14|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on in length. convert|75|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on in normal spec.
*24/80. 1920-25. As 20/25 but with longer wheel base.
*24/90. 1921. 6cyl 4962 cc overhead valve engine. 67 built.
*10/20. 1923-25. 4cyl 1460 cc overhead valve engine, a lighter car of various bodywork length between convert|12|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on and convert|13|ft|4|in|m|abbr=on 92+ built.
*11/28. 1926. 4cyl 1460 cc overhead valve engine, convert|30|bhp|abbr=on, convert|12|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on in length.
*12/20. 1926. As above but with wider track.

Bus manufacturing

Straker-Squire began by supplying a small number of buses to GWR road motor services before expanding rapidly to cater for the London Bus market. In 1905 work included the bus chassis used for Royal Army Medical Corps ambulances [ [http://www.steamtraction.com/archive/5090/ Steam Traction: Days of Steam] Retrieved on 2007-11-28.] and they manufactured 50 omnibus chassis and engines for London buses [ [http://www.20thcenturylondon.org.uk/server.php?show=conInformationRecord.123 20th Century London: LGOC] Retrieved on 2007-11-29.] . By 1909 Straker-Squire dominated the market and the factory in Fishponds supplied 70% of London's buses [Bartlett, John "Images of England, Fishponds" Tempus 2004 ISBN 0-7524-3315-6 p117] . Great Easton of London took delivery of another 22 in bright yellow chrome livery in 1911. Post war the A-type bus in chassis and/or body form sold very well.

Truck models

The first trucks built were German designed Büssing 2cyl trucks under licence from 1906. Truck models included [ [http://www.is-it-a-lemon.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=645 AutoLemon: Truck Straker-Squire] Retrieved on 2007-11-29.] . :
*Büssing 3-ton. 1906-09. 4cyl worm drive gasoline engine. German design built under licence.
*Colonial 5-ton. 1910.
*Military 3/4-ton. 1913-18. Built in large numbers for the British Army.
*A type 5-ton. 1919. Semi-forward-control, 4cyl worm drive engine.

Commercial vehicle production moved to Twickenham during the war. After car production ended in 1926 a limited number of bus and truck chassis and Straker-Clough trolley buses were also built.

References