1924 Bayliss Thomas
The Bayliss-Thomas was built in Tyseley, Birmingham from 1922 by the Excelsior Motor Co Ltd, later much better known for their eponymous motor cycles. A wide variety of models was listed, all of good quality, conventional construction and all making use of proprietry engines. Only small numbers were produced, however, particularlyafter 1925, and the manufacture switched entirely to motorcycles by 1929.
Originally the cars used Coventry-Simplex engines, but the introduction of the Meadows engine and excellent 3-speed gearbox was a major advance, and this car is one of the first to be so fitted.
The early history of this 1924 car is vague, but the chassis was definitely exported to Australia (importers plate on dashboard) for coachwork to be fitted. This was a conventional four door tourer, but with the front seat-back joining a brace across the body, giving immense rigidity, no doubt contributing to the cars survival in totally original form for some 85 years.
SV 7705 was brought back to the UK in May 1999 by the present owner, who uses the car on a regular basis and has it professionally maintained to a high standard.
The current V5C lists the engine size as 1150ccs, but it is believed that this is incorrect. Meadows provided some 500 units to the Bayliss-Thomas factory, from the 1247cc 9.8 hp to the 1795cc 13/30, and it is thought that the original engine, still fitted to this car, (No 5240) is probably of about 1500ccs. Certainly the car performs extremely well (even for a 1 ½ litre) with a splendid “Meadows” exhaust note, and the careful maintenance regime guarantees reliable running.
The Australian bodywork is finished in cream with black wings, and the hood and upholstery have recently been renewed to a high standard. The car is currently taxed and has an MoT certificate and V5c with SV number dating from its import in 1999.
Very few Bayliss-Thomas cars still exist, and survivors can be counted on the fingers of one hand, but this is certainly one of the best, and most original examples, running exceptionally well, and equipped with the desirable Meadows engine option.
