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DMW - Famous
Machines |
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The DMW Cortina
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Several new machines were introduced in 1954,
including the ‘Cortina’, a name later used by Ford. It was named
after the Italian resort in the Dolomite mountains where Harold
Nock had a winter holiday. Much thought was given to the styling
of the ‘Cortina’, which was a luxurious lightweight machine. It
was powered by the new 225c.c. Villiers 1H engine and had a
P-type frame, made from square section tubing. It had pressed
steel panels with internal compartments for the battery and
toolkit. The panels continued towards the rear to form a deeply
valanced mudguard for the rear wheel. |
The front mudguard was also heavily valanced to
give good protection from debris thrown up from wet roads. There
was an enclosed chain drive and hydraulically damped rear
suspension. The Metal Profiles front fork had a neat cover on
the top to house the headlamp, speedometer, ammeter and light
switch. There was a dual seat for the rider and a pillion
passenger, which could be raised to give access to the battery,
rectifier and twin tool compartments. The machine was finished
in turquoise blue, Paris grey or black. The wheel rims were
chrome plated and the petrol tank was gold lined.
‘The Motor Cycle’ magazine conducted a road test for the 17th
February, 1955 edition. |
The 200c.c. Mark 1 was the cheapest model
in DMW's touring range. It had a similar specification to the 'Cortina'
and was powered by a Villiers 8E/3 engine. |
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The DMW 'Dolomite' on display at the
National Motorcycle Musem. Courtesy of Jo Skidmore.
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The ‘Cortina’ was described as having the
handiness of a lightweight and the sturdiness of construction
normally associated with a heavier machine. It not only steered
and handled well but also possessed considerable powers of
acceleration. The top speed was about 60m.p.h. and the fuel
consumption was about 71m.p.g. at 50m.p.h.
The ‘Dolomite’, a development of the ‘Cortina’ was also
launched in 1954. It had a Metal Profiles ‘Earles’ type front
forks and an electric starter using the Siba Dynastart system.
It had a top speed of 72m.p.h. and sold for £240. |
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In 1953 DMW decided to develop a de luxe road
model that was powered by the new Villiers 250c.c. vertical twin
two- stroke engine. Unfortunately Associated Motor Cycles wanted
the engine for their own exclusive use, and Villiers agreed. In
response to this Harold Nock sent works manager, Arthur Frost,
across to France and he returned with some good looking overhead
camshaft engine and gearbox units which were built by Ateliers
Mechanique du Centre, ironically with the same initials as
Associated Motor Cycles. The French AMC engines had a single
camshaft and were available in 170c.c. and 249c.c. models, and a
125c.c. racing unit. The 125c.c. racing unit was used to power
the DMW ‘Hornet’ which was launched in 1954. Like the ‘Dolomite’
it was fitted with Metal Profiles ‘Earles’ type forks. It was
listed at £362.10s.0d. |
The French 125c.c. AMC engine
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View some DMW
machines from the 1950s |
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The DMW 'Bambi' motor scooter
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In the late 1950s motor scooters were very popular
and in response to this DMW launched the ‘Bambi’. Prototypes
were first shown in 1950. The scooter was constructed from steel
pressings and had large disc wheels. It was powered by a 98c.c.
Villiers 4F two stroke engine, which had an integral 2 speed
gearbox. The top speed was 35m.p.h. and the average fuel
consumption was 135m.p.g. The machine went into production in
1957 and was finished in Paris grey with blue and silver disc
wheels, although other colours were available. The machine sold
for £110.8s.0d. and about 500 were produced. |
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The 225c.c. machine from
1957
Courtesy of Derek Beattie |
| The 1957 Motor Cycle Show saw the only appearance
of the DMW 'Dumbo', which was a cross between a motor cycle and
a scooter. Possibly only a single prototype was built. A similar
model, the 'Deemster', also a cross between a motorcycle and
scooter, was launched in 1962. It was powered by a Villiers
249c.c. twin cylinder two stroke engine with electric or kick
start. Like the 'Bambi' it was built around a number of steel
pressings and was unlike any other motorcycle yet produced. |
DMW on show in 1954 or 1955. Courtesy of
Jo Skidmore
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There were Standard and DeLuxe models which were both
fitted with a Villiers 4 speed gearbox. The DeLuxe version included
a Siba Dynastart electric starter. The engine and fuel tank were
mounted following normal motorcycle practice and there were
removable rear side panels and floorboards.
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The 'Deemster'
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It had built-in legshields and a large
comfortable seat, a large locker, windscreen and twin 5 inch
headlamps. There were 12 inch disc wheels, with a brake of DMW's
own design using a Girling patent. The frame was robust, with a
large diameter spine, joined to a square section down tube and a
framework of angle and tube supports for the footboards and
sides. It was fitted with an 'Earles' type front fork with a
Girling damper on one side. |
| The Villiers engined
'Deemster' that belongs to Peter Frost.
Courtesy of Peter Frost who has an
Alternative Autos website at:
www.peterfrost.clara.net |
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View some
photographs of
Deemsters |
The machine was never popular with the general public but was very
successful in the rural police service. A number of police forces
used them including Wolverhampton, which had eight. The Police
versions were equipped with a radio and a blue flashing light. The
selling price to the general public was £380.
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This fine Dolomite from
1960 is owned by Arthur Stubbs, of Hatton, Derbyshire.
The photograph was taken at the Black
Country Vehicle Rally that was held at the Black Country
Living Museum, Dudley, on July 14th 2002. |
| Another view of Arthur
Stubbs' excellent machine which he restored himself. |
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A 1962 'Dolomite Mk2.
Courtesy of Derek Beattie |
| In the middle of 1963, Villiers adapted the engine
for installation in the Bond three wheeler. In order to solve
cooling problems, the top half of the engine was redesigned to allow
a greater passage of cooling air. The modified engine was called the
Mark 4T. The new engine did not work very well in the 'Deemster'. It
was not as powerful at slow speeds and the smooth running of the
original engine had gone. The new engine was totally unsuitable for
police work. A redesign was necessary. |
The 'Hornet' from the company's advertising
literature. Courtesy of Jim Boulton.
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The DMW machine that's on display at the
Black Country Living Museum, Dudley. |
Initially a 197c.c. single cylinder Villiers engine was tried and then
the 250c.c. horizontally-opposed twin cylinder engine and running gear,
as fitted to the Velocette 'Viceroy' scooter. The new version appeared
in 1968 but was unsuccessful due to starting problems and high
maintenance costs. Only about 100 were sold to the general public and
about 250 to the police. |
| In 1962 Harold Nock purchased Ambassador Motor
Cycles of Ascot and moved production to Sedgley. Ambassador
motorcycles were produced here from July 1963 until September
1965, but they were mainly 'badged' D.M.W. 'Dolomite II'
machines.
Another view of the DMW machine
that's on display at the Black Country Living Museum,
Dudley. |
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