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British Anzani History |
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The Anzani Engine Company was founded in Courbevoie, Paris in 1907 by an ambitious Italian named Alessandro Anzani. He came from modest beginnings and had little education. However, he possessed an innate talent for all things mechanical and was driven by a passion for building engines.
Anzani’s first design was used in a motorcycle. It was a lightweight 2 cylinder engine which he raced at Ostend, Belgium in 1906, winning the world championship and clocking a speed of 100 kph. With the proceeds, he set up his own workshop where he designed his first aeroplane engine. A lightweight 2 cylinder arranged in a fan shape and air cooled, it was a highly revolutionary engine for its time. On July 25, 1909, Lois Bleirot became the first man to cross the English Channel powered by an Anzani engine.
After this event, Anzani became famous worldwide for his simple, robust, cheap and reliable engines. Orders began to pour in. Speed, power and efficiency became synonymous with the Anzani name and he swept away all competition by producing engines of any power or type from 15cv to 1250 cv. His clientele had the option to use his products for any application.
Demand became so great that in 1912, a new factory named The British Anzani Engine Company was opened in Willesden, London. British Anzani was commissioned during the Great War to create engines for military use, mostly notably for British Caudron. After the war they continued doing developmental work for the government and making parts for Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company.
Hubert Hagens, an extremely talented designer, was at the helm during this time and was responsible for advancing the development of Anzani engines to even greater heights. He created a 35 hp 1,100 cc V-twin which found applications in motorcycles, light cars and aircraft including AJW, OEC, McEvoy, Trump and Montgomery motorcycles as well as Morgan sports cars, the side valve powering AC, Fraser Nash and Bristol.
Another key player at Anzani was Gustave ‘Mac’ MacLure. Originally from Rolls Royce, he was rated the best in British engineering. He designed their most successful engine, the 11.9 hp side valve car engine which was strong, light, reliable and tunable. Later, the 11.9 hp was adapted for marine use and marketed as an inboard engine.
When WWII began, British Anzani started development work on a stationary industrial engine for the use of landing craft. They also did contract work for the Air Ministry. Throughout this time, an ex-world record holder and engine designer Charles Henry Harrison was Anzani’s chief engineer, creating some of the most successful engines of the era. Over the years they built outboard motors that ranged from 1/2 hp to 40 hp models. They designed the Super Single outboard motor, supplied to the Admiralty throughout the war, and this successful design was later sold to the public.
With their name and reputation firmly in place, British Anzani went on to expand their engine styles for many innovative applications throughout the years. Their product line included a two-wheeled tractor called the Iron Horse for agricultural use, The Lawnrider lawnmower, and a series of light cars and dodgem boats for Billy Butlin of Butlin’s holiday camp. But Anzani’s biggest selling and best known item over the years was the outboard motor. Numerous models were produced, some of which were the most successful racing engines built.
It’s been a long ride, and after 98 years of quality craftsmanship, and enduring success, British Anzani is still going strong. Anzani continues today with its tradition of excellence by selling reliable and environmentally sound marine products for boats and yachts.
There is a whole network of enthusiasts out there who have a passion for classic British Anzani engines and vehicles. You never know what part of the world you are going to find old parts or buried engines that can be fixed up and put back into action. Log onto the forum and make some like-minded friends from across the globe at:
Forum: British Azani Forum click here
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