Francis-Barnett

The brochure is for models from 1st September 1957 so I would imagine the pics were taken that summer.

The next two pics are from the 1959/60 brochure. The blossom on the trees suggest they were taken in spring 1959. Pic 8 - Showing off the precinct. Pic 9 - and the new cathedral

I've borrowed these pics from the FB owners club forum which give a good idea of what we are looking for. The first is a model made by the son of ex FB test rider Colin Dean, the second an illustration from a 1940s brochure. The illustration seems to show the factory as much larger than it really was, as it extends towards Ford Street much further than the space between it and Sydenham Palace on the corner with Cox Street.

Pic 10 is from a 1961 brochure showing a nice illustration of Broadgate. It is very clear that FB were proud of their Coventry roots, indeed even the badge on every bike exclaimed 'Francis-Barnett Coventry' and the letters FBC in the centre of the badge. Pics 11 & 12 are from a 1964 brochure so probably taken in 1963. The location is not known to me. Apparently all of the 'models' in FB brochures were just FB office staff so may be recognised by forum members.

What an excellent series of posts - thanks for them all

What model of bike did Nick Rowan ride in the Heartbeat series?..its an FB but i dont know which one

I'm pretty sure it was a Falcon 87, a 199cc AMC engined single cylinder. I think I'm right in saying though that most FB Police bikes were actually Cruiser 89s, a 250cc twin cylinder like the one with FB 250 on the front mudguard in one of the last pics.

I was really interested to see these pictures as my first road legal bike was a Franny B Falcon. I bought it from Coventry Motor Mart on London Road (by the cemetery gates) in 1963 for £27.10s and if I'm honest I could probably run as fast as it would go The people from Coventry Motor Mart expanded and bought (rented?) what is now Allen Ford car sales, however that was comparatively short lived I believe. I have to say I thought I looked great in my (PVC) leather jacket Whether that view was shared by other people is debatable.

There was a Motor Mart next to the Gaumont too, was that the same company?

I have to say that I don't remember a bike shop there. Was it round by Whitefriars Street?

No, it was two units in Jordan Well between the Gaumont and the news kiosk on the corner. The unit nearest the Gaumont was mostly toys and the other was mostly bikes. The nearest thing to a motor bike I ever saw in the window was a BSA moped so it struck me as odd that it was called "Motor Mart".

Hi Steve, No real information but remember a trip from my school in The Potteries about 61/62 to visit Standard Triumph to see production line. Mate and I snook off at lunchtime, found Lower Ford St. Looked through some open doors & saw lots of Fulmars A/W despatch. Amazing sight! Rode one few yrs later & enjoyed it. Looked futuristic! Looks a bit pathetic now. Went after, University, to work for BSA, spent very happy 18 mths at Triumph Meriden then worked in Sales for Honda UK. Now retired. Ah Nostalgia, pass me my rose tinted specs! Mike

Mod's note : Hello Mike and welcome to the Forum - you'll find us more or less a friendly crowd - we look forward to your contributions

I don't think this is the factory you are looking for but I have a nice photo of The Lea Francis works in Much Park Street I can post if you are interested. I also have a book called "Coventry up to date" printed in about 1895 which refers to Lea and Francis Cycle Manufacturers. Lower Ford Street as among the more recent additions to the ranks of the Coventry cycling trade and goes on to describe the premises. Any interest ?

Welcome to our forum Anne..It would be interesting to see your photo of the Lea Francis. We demolished that place and I fell through the roof it put me on the box for a full year, I was lucky to get away with it. A few weeks later a chap done the same at the Station and he was killed

Lea Francis works, Much Park Street