Edinburgh Today

Madelvic Car Factory

Granton Park Avenue

The Factory

Madelvic Car Factory off West Shore Road, Granton is the oldest surviving car factory in Britain.  It was built in 1899 and is now a Grade-B listed building. However, it is due to be demolished, following developer Buredi's request for planning permission to clear the site.

Edinburgh Council have now accepted the view of the Buredi and the council's arms-length  company, EDI, that it will not be possible for them to sell the building.

Edinburgh Council has agreed that the building may be demolished, but will not allow the demolition to go ahead until they have seen the building that is proposed to replace the old factory.

Edinburgh Evening News:  January 15, 2010

Madelvic Motors

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Madelvic Motors was founded by William (later Sir William) Peck,  Edinburgh City Astronomer.  But the company survived for only two years  -  from 1898 to 1900.

Madelvic cars resembled old coaches.  In fact, shafts were incorporated into Madelvic cars so that  horses could take over if the electric motor failed.

The cars were driven by a small fifth wheel.  It can be seen in the photograph above, making contact with the ground between and behind  the two front wheels.

The company also produced some small two-seater electric cars in which the front wheels were powered conventionally.

Madelvic Motors became bankrupt and were taken over by Kingsburgh Motor Company in 1900.

Acknowledgements

1. Stranger on the Shore  [James Gracie].  Argyll Publishing, 2003.    2.  Wikipedia web site