1908 Viking Cycles , Wolverhampton – A.V. Davies
Classic Viking Bicycles quite rightly conjures up the successful road racing and touring bikes made in Wolverhampton after the Hitler War. We know that Viking bicycles were produced by Alfred Victor Davies from 1908 in and near Wolverhampton. It seems that the original Vikings specialised in road and track machines, there was one called the Whirlwind, but examples are, to say the least, rare.
1939 Viking Cycles Ltd, Wolverhampton – Reg Davies
Just prior to the Second World War the business was transferred to Mr Davies’s son, Reg, and Viking Cycles Limited was formed. It would be interesting to know how the firm and its employees were kept busy between 1939 and 1945. 1942 had seen the birth of road racing in this country through the energy and inspiration of another outstanding Wolverhampton character. Enthusiasm for road racing in the post-war period likely encouraged Viking to sponsor Bob Thom and pals road racing team. The decision to do so surely boosted Viking’s prestige and sales with the considerable bonus of having Bob Thom on board. The Davies family association ended in 1967, often stated to be the end of Viking bicycles in Wolverhampton but this is not the case.
1968 Viking Cycles (Forwarding) Limited – Bob Thom
Bob Thom acquired the remains and operated under Viking Cycles (Forwarding) Limited until at least 1972. From price lists, there is a suggestion this concern was disposing of remainder stock which may well be the case but certainly new frames were built by this branch, notably the Severn Valley.
Bob Thom’s business also saw him making prototypes for the controversial Lambert marque which went on to produce bikes in Bilston. Lambert’s stickered some of their frames as Vikings (also Reg Harris).
1976 Viking Manufacturing Co., Londonderry – Clements Brothers (Harry Quinn design)
Around 1976 the name was acquired by brothers Roy and Frank Clements who set up the Viking Manufacturing Co in Londonderry, making primarily utilitarian bikes. They also produced a well-respected range of road bikes, and even a rare and expensive Severn Valley model, with designs by Harry Quinn. A sales office was initially set up in Castlegate, Nottingham, then Warrington, Cheshire. This concern also, like the original firm, had a successful racing team sponsored by MAN VW and made strong efforts to encourage youngsters into cycling. It survived until the early 1980s
Apart from the Viking bikes made in Wolverhampton, and those of the legal successor companies, the name Viking appeared on bicycles made elsewhere. Certainly, bikes named “Viking” were produced in Holland and it is thought France. It is also likely there were machines sold in South Africa, for in that place Wolverhampton made Vikings which were sold under the label Viksport.
Current Day
Come the 21st Century the name was revived by Avocet who in more recent times have come under the Hero banner. Perhaps the best news from the Hero/Avocet corner is that there are once again Reynolds frame bicycles bearing the famous Viking name.
