Gibbons (United Kingdom)

Gibbons & Moore was a British manufacturer of cyclecars based in Chadwell Heath, Essex, operational from 1917 to 1929. The company produced one of the more unconventional cyclecars of its time, characterized by its basic construction and unique design features. The vehicles typically featured a plywood body and an air-cooled engine mounted on the offside, a configuration that was later deemed unsatisfactory.

The production of Gibbons cyclecars commenced in 1917, following the development of a prototype monocar in 1914, which showcased a front-mounted engine and a barrel-shaped body on a single-tube chassis. The initial model was a side-by-side two-seater powered by a 4-horsepower single-cylinder JAP engine. Gibbons offered three engine sizes: a 349cc single-cylinder Precision, a 488cc single-cylinder Blackburne, and a 688cc flat-twin Coventry-Victor, with the latter being the most popular among buyers.

The early models featured a two-speed transmission with belt final drive, while the 1925/26 models upgraded to a three-speed Sturmey-Archer gearbox and chain drive. The larger models could accommodate four passengers and utilized a 988cc V-twin Blackburne engine. Notably, braking was achieved through blocks on the belt pulley rims, and steering was facilitated by a wire and pulley system connected to a center pivot front axle.

At one point, Gibbons offered their vehicles in kit form, allowing customers to assemble their own cars from a basic set of plans. Although advertisements claimed that over 1,000 units were being produced, actual production numbers were likely much lower. The V-twin Blackburne-engined model remained available by special order until 1929, alongside a light aeroplane.