Watsonian Meteor sidecar returns
They were first manufactured by Watsonian over 60 years ago, and now they're back in production. Built from left-over WW2 Mosquito fighter-bomber fuel drop tanks, 601 of these stylish Meteor chairs were built between 1946-1949.
Like the Mosquito, the drop tanks were made from plywood. Except that this plywood was stretched and spun. What does that mean? We have no idea. But evidently it was a light, strong and durable construct and, being streamlined, was quickly adaptable to the sidecar motoring needs of the day.
Fast forward a few decades, and Charnwood Sidecars negotiated the manufacturing rights to the name and the design, which brought us the Charnwood Meteor; this one in fibreglass.
Later still, as we understand it, Anson Classic Restoration took up the reins and produced their version of the Meteor. But now, Watsonian has reacquired the manufacturing rights and has bought the Charnwood fibre glass moulds, and has designed a new chassis complete with a sprung 16-inch wheel.
This design will be sold again as the Meteor, and Anson will continue with its own version, but not with the Meteor name. That belongs to Watsonian, and the firm naturally want to capitalise on it.
But it's all said to be very amicable. Meanwhile, Anson will need a new name, so we suggest ... Mosquito. It's got to be more appropriate than Meteor; a name that belongs more to the aircraft jet age than the piston-and-prop age. But what the hell do we know?
Watsonian will be marketing the new Meteor for £3,995 including VAT, and they know all about attaching them safely to whatever bike you've got.
www.watsonian-squire.com
— Del Monte
Copyright Sump Publishing 2013