In his recent Guardian gardening column, horticultural expert James Wong wrote: “If you want a truly indestructible houseplant, there are few that will survive quite such a high level of neglect as an aspidistra. It will tolerate more shade than pretty much any other, not to mention months of drought, the coldest of drafts and almost any pest going. Hence the Victorian common name for the species: ‘cast iron plant”
This is not a gardening column. But it is important to reflect on the qualities of the evergreen perennial because it was after this plant that the Panther became known as ‘the biggest aspidistra in the world’
The Panther Model 100, built by Yorkshire-based company Phelon & Moore, was no showpiece, but it was a reliable, tough, hardy machine that could accommodate even the most prolific of families, complete with their belongings.
But the aspidistra tag applies not only to the Panther 100. Those reliant qualities apply to the operations of the Phelon & Moore marque as a whole. This was a company that persevered – and survived – economic catastrophe and political cataclysm, outliving many of its rival, often much bigger, competitors.
Few motorcycle firms were unaffected by the aftermath of the 1929Wall Street Crash. This seemingly remote event, caused by ruthless speculating at the New York Stock Exchange, triggered the most devastating financial crash in modern history. The domino-effect of this desolation worsened over a period of six years, hitting business – including the British motorcycle industry – especially hard. By 1933 motorcycle production in the UK slumped to its lowest in 20 years, dropping to 52,200 units in 1933, from 160,000 six years earlier.
Esta historia es de la edición January 2020 de The Classic MotorCycle.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 2020 de The Classic MotorCycle.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Runs should be fun
The club run is an integral part of the old motorcycle scene. During 2020, a variation on the usual theme emerged, enabling people to ride in the company of like-minded souls.
Hybrid chicken
BSA Bantams come in many forms, and the ability to interchange parts between different models permits an almost endless number of variants.
Green WITH ENVY
Life aboard a 1950s 350cc British single is perhaps as good and as uncomplicated as it can get.
Worth the wait
Captivated by sight of one as a small boy, finally our man has the chance to try an NSU Max.And a ‘Spezial’ one at that…
The Motorcycle: DESIGN, ART AND DESIRE
The concluding part of a two-part feature, in which the history of motorcycle evolution is examined and a new book’s author interviewed.
Cream rises
There were several ‘star performers’ at Bonhams’ winter sale, as the choice machines achieved huge sums.
The Giant of Provence
With so few events to report from, it’s time to look back over a spectacular French event and look forward to its hopeful resumption.
Store cupboard special
A big box of presents? Must be Christmas! More deliveries keep the project on track.
By 1929, CJP Dodson was a bona fide top level road racer, pretty much unbeatable on the sand, too.
The diminutive Charlie Dodson was the last man to win a TT, the 1928 Senior, on a ‘flat-tank’ machine, then the next year became the first (and only) winner of a TT on a saddle tank Sunbeam, as well as recording the last ever success in the Island for the Marston maker.
Cassandra the Canadian Commando
After landing a new job and with time on his hands, a young man in Vancouver decided to restore a British motorcycle considerably older than him.