As well as Riley two other bicycle companies in Coventry built 3-wheelers.The first of which was the Beeston Cycle Company in 1898, and then the Singer Cycle Company. Beeston, as well as building motorcycles built the 'Beeston Motette', of which for its year had a fair speed of 20 mph. Singer obtained the manufacturing rights of the Perks and Birch motor wheel in 1901 and made a front wheel drive 3-wheeler and like Riley more conventional vehicles were developed and produced until 1907. The similarity between all three tri-cars to me is some what uncanny, as at first glance they all look the same vehicle - especially as the Singer also used the Riley engine and ironically was Riley's biggest rival.

By 1910 small 4-wheelers far outnumbered 3-wheelers. This is surprising, because until 1905/6 they were about equal in numbers.  As is the case today the motoring press did much to change the public's opinions against 3-wheeled vehicles, and ironically most of these alleged facts were from journalist who had never even driven one. In November 1910 the Morgan Motor Company had been formed by H.F.S.Morgan and it is said if it had not been for the numerous competition successes of the newly designed 'Morgan Runabout', and for its taxation advantages, the 3-wheeler may well have disappeared then.  ln a very short time Morgan was to conquer most of its 4-wheeled rivals and prove that the right design proved all the alleged facts against 3-wheelers wrong and that they could be as stable and fast as any 4-wheeler. It was at this time that potential customers were not particularly concerned with the design of a car. They wanted three main things when buying one, (Wheels?) these were namely proven acceleration and speed, reliability and economy. To provide them with the answers they looked towards motor sports, if a manufacturer wanted to be successful he had to be so in racing and reliability trials. On December 26th 1910 Morgan entered the first London - Exeter two day trial and as a result won a gold medal combined with favourable press coverage. This was the first of thousands of awards Morgan motors were to recieve *

In order to stimulate the 3-wheeler industry, a new motoring magazine entitled "Cyclecar" was introduced in 1912, along with an award each year for the fastest Cyclecar. This in turn created many small companies by enthusiast producing 3-wheelers, all with a high power to weight ratio. Most were completely impracticable, but many went into production for several years. The successes of the Morgan Motor Company were soon to prove essential as when the first World war broke out in 1914, Morgan's sales were at their highest. Despite the fact that part of the factory had to be converted to producing shells and other munitions for the war effort, limited production of the Morgans was able to continue through out the war. It was during the war period that many 3-wheeler manufacturers disappeared, from approx 23 in 1913 to 7 manufacturers in 1917.(Worldwide.)

H.F.S.Morgan realised the sooner he could get his factory back into full production after the war, he could sell many cars in the post-war rush. This he managed to do as at the end of the war most manufacturers were unable to switch to full production for nearly a year due to the lack of materials. lt was in the two years after the war record sales and profits were bestowed upon the Morgan Motor Company.  Towards the end of the 1920's and into the 1930's, it was the General strike and depression that changed Morgan's advertising to emphasis "tax, economy, comfort and cost", but Morgan realised to beat this depression and to prevent going into liquidation like many other companies, he had to introduce a 4-wheeler car. This he did in 1936, and continued to produce 3/4-wheelers up until the second World war The 'Lightcar and Cyclecar'rnagazinewrote in 1925;

"were it not for the dogged and justly well rewarded persistence of one manufacture it is doubtful whether the great mass of the motoring public would not regard the 3-wheeler as a freak and nothing more.

(Lightcar and Cyclecar magazine.25th September 1925.)

*Morgans list of successes.(From an Morgan advertisement brochure in 1950).

Reliability.

Internatonal Six Days.(1920-1937),9 Golds,1 Silver,Team Award.

English Six Days.(192l-1925),1 Cup,18 Golds,2 Silver,3 Team Awards.

Scottish Six Days.(1914-1933),5 Cups,9 Golds, S Silver.

A.C.U.Stock Tnal.(1921-1928),19 Golds,1 Team Award.

London-Exeter.(1927-1 937)18 Gdds,23 Silver,14 Bronze.

London-Lands End.(1920-1937),73 Golds,40 Silver,7 Bronze,1 Team Award.

London-Edinburgh.(1927-1937). 51 Golds,17 Silver,3 Bronze,2 Team Awards.

Wye Valley Traders Trophy.(1934.1937), 3 Cups, 3 Golds.

Speed.

M.C.C.High Speed Trial, Brooklands.

1933.One Hour Tnal,2 Golds,1 Silver,1 Bronze. 1934.One Hour Trial.2 Premier Awards.
1935.One Hour Trial,2 Premier Awards. 1936.One Hour Trial.4 Premier Awards.

L.C.C.Race.(1933).Second at an average speed of 89.01 m.p.h.(l934). Second at an average speed of 90.91 m.p.h.

In addition to the above Morgan holds numerous World's Records tor 500cc, 750cc and 1,100cc Cyclecars.