Classic Cars & Motorcycles

Classic Cars sponsored by Invicta Insurance Services

See an extensive collection of Classic Cars from throughout the decades and covering a wide variety of makes & models.

Application forms can be found on the EXHIBIT PAGE.

Classic Motorcycles

Motorcycles descended from the “Safety Bicycle”. The history of the motorcycle began in the second half of the 19th century.

First they were steam powered, which can be traced to 1863. In 1868 a twin cylinder steam engine with a coal fire boiler between the wheels was invented however the inventor died whilst demonstrating the machine!!! (Brings tears to your eyes).

In 1881 a speed of 12mph was achieved and the first ‘Moto-Cycle’ (a three wheeler) was produced by the Northrop Manufacturing Company.

The very first commercial design for a self-propelled bicycle was a three-wheel design called the Butler Petrol Cycle, conceived and built in England in 1884.

1894 saw the first series production motorcycle and the first to be called a motorcycle. However, only a few hundred examples of this motorcycle were ever built.

In 1986 a bicycle manufacturing company based in Coventry, began production of their first motorcycle, which was available for purchase by the public. As the engines became more powerful and designs outgrew the bicycle origins, the number of motorcycle producers increased. At the turn of the century the first British major mass-production firms were set up: 1901 – Royal Enfield, 1902 – Triumph, 1902 – Norton, 1910 – Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA).

During this period, experimentation and innovation were driven by the popular new sport of Motorcycle Racing with the incentive to produce tough, fast, reliable machines. These enhancements quickly found their way to mass produced models.

By 1914, motorcycles were no longer just bicycles with engines; they had their own technologies, although many still maintained bicycle elements, like the seats and suspension.

During the First World War, motorbike production was greatly ramped up to supply effective communications with front line troops. Messengers on horses were replaced with messengers on motorcycles.

By 1930 there were over 80 different makes of motorcycle available in Britain, about twice as many than during the early 21st century.
Today the Japanese manufacturers, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha dominate the large motorcycle industry, although many of the older more established names still maintains a high degree of popularity.

This year at TRACTORFEST we hope to see a wide variety of Vintage/Classic Motorcycles many of which will have been lovingly restored.

Exhibitor Entry forms can be found on the EXHIBIT PAGE.