Manufactured by Chas Hay and Son, agents for Douglas, Villiers, Blackburne and Invincible-JAP
9 Invermay Road, Launceston
Saward writes that the firm built motorcycles from around 1912 until the onset of war in 1939. Early models were powered by Precision and Villiers, the latter constructed using kits from the English Spark firm. Six were built using a variety of Blackburne engines.
Launceston was badly flooded in 1929, but the address remained the same in 1932.
Flat Tank Journey of Tasmania, during the restoration process of a "Tassie Torpedo, writes:
For comparison:
Spark by Sparkbrook
Warrior 1923 249cc
BEST in 3½ H.P. CLASS, £58.
OR £25 DOWN, £1 PER WEEK.
Includes all the latest features. Villiers engine, with fly-wheel magneto, driven off the crank shafts. No chains or cogs, no valves or timing gear in engine, no trouble.
STURMEY ARCHER 3-SPEED KICK-START GEAR BOX. TERRY ALL SPRING SADDLE. BEST FOR COMFORT. OVERSIZE TYRES FITTED, ETC, TORPEDO CYCLE AND MOTOR WORKS
Chas. S. Hay and Son,
Opposite Railway Station. INVERMAY-ROAD. Phone 969.
SOLE AGENTS DOUGLAS, VILLIERS, BLACKBURNE, INVINCIBLE-JAP MOTOR CYCLES.
Examiner (Launceston, Tas.) Sat 7 Feb 1925 (Trove)
"A gold medal donated by Chas. Hay and Son will be presented to the winner of the three miles' scratch race at York Park to-day."
Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas. : 1883 - 1928) Sat 22 Aug 1925 Page 5 (Trove)
Sources: Trove NLA; Saward.
N.B. Several other firms used variations of the brand name Torpedo.
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