Cotswolds based Watsonian-Squire has made sidecars since 1912 and is one of only a handful of companies still specialising in three wheelers today. Production at the firm’s Gloucestershire factory has increased by 50%, with increased sales to overseas customers. The company says that orders have been coming in from distributors in the USA, Indonesia and Austria, as well as private customers from France and the Netherlands, with the drop in the value of sterling making their sidecars more competitively priced than ever.

“Last year exports accounted for 30% of production; this year we’re exporting around 55%” says Sales Director Ben Matthews. “Without a doubt the lower value of the pound has helped, but we also have the technical expertise to supply fitting kits too, so that they can attach the sidecar to their customers’ motorcycles safely and securely.”

Watsonian makes specific products for individual countries.In the UK, sidecars must be fitted to the left side of the bike by law but in most export markets, where vehicles drive on the right hand side of the road, they need to be fitted to the opposite side. The British company produces a wide range of bike-specific fittings for both set-ups.

The outfit pictured is a Triumph Thunderbird cruiser fitted with an export version of the Watsonian Grand Prix. Originally introduced in the 1960s, this single seater retains the octagonal nose shape first seen on the Watsonian Sports sidecar of 1930, giving it a timeless appearance. The body is made from fibreglass with a polished gelcoat finish, sitting in a welded tubular steel frame, with leading link suspension and 16″ spoked front wheel. Prices for the Grand Prix start at £5,750.

For more information visit www.watsonian-squire.com