BRADFORD INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM – SCOTT SOCIABLE

[David J Waring]

In answer to “PHIL”, in a previous topic, yes the Bradford Sociable is still on display, along with some Scott motorcycles, including the famous Bill Bradley “Felix” (see page 125 of “The Yowling Two Stroke”).

For a picture of the Sociable, put the following into Google :-
Bradford Industrial Museum Scott
Then click on:-
SKIPTON WEB:Photo Gallery

The display in the museum tells you very little about the machine, which is one of only 5 surviving Sociables worldwide, so here is a bit I found out about it:-

Year 1922, reg was SS 1035, now labelled as SS 1922 by Bradford Industrial Museum. The late Griff Hollingshead (Museum Curator) restored it to off-road running order, but in the last 20 years it has only been out a few times for filming. Was in the Dutch National Motor Museum in 1950’s.
The reg. SS1035 appeared on a 1921 Sociable, trialled by Derek Rhodes.

Incidentally, the museum, with free admission in the old Moorside Mills, is well worth a vist, as you will see from the web page, not only for the vehicles and mill machinery, but heavy horses pulling an old tram, renovated mill workers houses – take the family.

[Erik]

Here a direct link to the picture David means:

Seems well worth a visit!

Cheers,
Erik

[David J Waring]

Here is a view which I took, which makes you understand what a strange looking vehicle it was.
The origins as a 2 track machine for wartime use on rutted muddy roads on the battlefield gave it an ungainly look, even though the wheel layout was the same as a motorcyle and sidecar.
Alfred developed the Sociable by driving his own personal prototype over a 5 year period, but did accept it’s odd looks, christening it “The Crab” !
With the Austin 7 as much cheaper competition, it was never likely to be a big seller.
(NOTE:- Sorry about the cheap advert under the top two photos, but I don’t seem to be able to get rid of it)

And if you want to know what (another) Sociable all bolted frame looked like, this is a replica chassis, showing the typical Alfred triangulated design :-

Built from a set of 48 tubes (+2 spares) :-

[lammy1]

At the Schlumpf Collection at Mulhouse France there also is a Sociable.
The Schlumpf Collection is known as the most comprehensive Bugatti collection in the world.

Here a picture from the Sociable.

Frank

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