Holdsworth also produced their La Quelda welded model from 1936. See
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/
>From: "Joe King" <joeking@fastmail.fm>
>To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: [CR]British Welded (Lugless) Frame History
>Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2006 21:19:46 +0000
>
>Pete,
>Thanks for sharing the Kirk stuff. Harry Rensch started building in his
>own right in 1935. By 36 he was selling welded frames in large numbers.
>Claud Butler started experimenting with welded frames in 1937 and his
>frames first went on sale in December 1938. This was the Massed Start
>model. Incidentally this welded frame of Claud's was the first with the
>his long tanged fork ends. Stuart Purves was design manager back then at
>Butler's and Les Ephgrave was a builder there as well. These two teamed
>up togther after leaving Clauds and both produced wonderful welded
>frames. Hobbs were about the same time but they did
>have some problems with these.
>Post War circa 1947 Dayton Amalgam and Enfield Unitize appeared on the
>scene. 1948 Special Hidiminium tubing is drawn by Reynolds for
>experiments. Both Hobbs of Barbican and Holdsworths exhibit welded alloy
>frames at the 48 November Cycle show made from this tubing. The Hobbs
>has a
>specially produced aluminium convential two-plate fork crown and the
>alloy fork blades are welded into this. Holdsworths favour the use of a
>solid crown and use round section fork blades.
>I am sure Ted Woodhall produced all the early alloy welded Holdsworths.
>He also made all the Hercules team frames.
>This was the same show that R.O.Harrison first showed his Shortwin. This
>was welded througout. Wheelbase of 39" (short in those far off days) and
>still allowed plenty of clearance for 27" wheels. No toe clip over hang
>on these. This had twin down tubes which accommodated the base of the
>seat tube in front of the bottom bracket shell. This enables the rear
>wheel to fit snugly into the rear triangle, and tight up against the
>seat tube.
>Don't believe what you hear this handle superbly, I have raced one and
>was most impressed by the design. This was on H.P Mich 50's and I did a
>long 23.
>The French were producing welded or lugless frames in the late 20's like
>everything we were slow to follow. They also produced an all welded
>alloy frame before us.
>If you want to check any of these facts out the folowing are useful:
>Bicycle Nov.17th.1948. The Cylcist Nov.9th.1938. The Complete Cyclist
>R.J.Way 1951. The Cycling Handbook A.L.Pullen 1951. And any article by
>Johnnie Dennis.
>Welded frames were all the rage from 1936 to 51. By 59 it was only Jack
>Taylor and Fother's up in Liverpool who were still making these in any
>numbers.
>Best wishes Joe.
>Croeso Cymru Joe King Nr. Maenaddwyn Ynys Mon Wales
>
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