The Wollongong Cycle, Motor and Engineering Works was established c.1900 by F A Taylor, previously of the Austral Cycle Works, Melbourne. In 1901 began work on motor bicycle engines. In 1902 Taylor became an agent for Crossley industrial engines. The 'Illawarra' motorcycle appeared in 1905 with a 3 h.p. engine and was ridden in the Sydney to Melbourne reliability trial of that year. He built a tri-car in 1907 thought to have had a 5 h.p. water-cooled engine.
1902
Mr. F. A. Taylor's Wollongong Cycle and Engineering establishment is among those which are in the forward movement. The appliances have been added to, till equal to making all parts of a bicycle, and doing all engineering work needful in this line, and the establishment is turning out a bicycle of its own, the "Illawarra" and at a price which must put it in the lead. The 1903 model is now on the stocks, and it has a new design of head, patent of F. A. Taylor's, the feature of which is its lightness. ...
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW) Sat 27 Dec 1902
1903
We have been informed that Mr. F. A. Taylor, of the Wollongong Cycle, Motor and Engineering Works has received an order from the Master in Equity and Lunacy (Mr. H. P. Owen) to construct a 2½ h.p. motor cycle on the same lines as the motor now used by Mr. Taylor. Mr, Taylor informs us that he has had to satisfy Mr. Owen by severe tests of hill-climbing and pace that this motor is second to none in the State.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW) Sat 5 Dec 1903
1904
Mr. F. A. Taylor has just completed another motor cycle, capable of doing 50 miles an hour.
South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus (NSW) Sat 26 Nov 1904
1905
Entrants in the Dunlop Reliability Motor Contest from Sydney to Melbourne A Taylor. N.S.W (3 h.p. Illawarra)
Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic.) Thu 16 Feb 1905
1905
On Thursday F. A. Taylor, of Wollongong was one of the three favorites in the great motor cycle race from Sydney to Melbourne. His Illawarra was going splendidly until Thursday, when he had a break down near Adelong crossing.
Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong, NSW) Sat 25 Feb 1905
Sources: Trove NLA; forums.tomm.com.au
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