Cotton  from Gloucester, and from their start in 1920 was hall marked by its frame. This dated back a further seven years to when Francis Willoughby Cotton first laid down his triangulated design that was still little changed in 1939. He was also a trained lawyer so well able to fend off any attempts to poach the design, and during the 1920s the temptation was certainly there. Stanley Woods had his first TT ride on a Cotton in 1922 and went on to win the junior on one the following year. There were two seconds in 1924, two in 1925 and complete success in the 1926 Lightweight, when they took the first three places. This was to be the peak of their Island fortunes, but it served to establish the small firm in the public’s eye. This worked well up to the Depression, but by 1930 the effect was wearing off and they ran into harder times. To cope they offered an extensive range of models using proprietary engines, but always in their very stiff, rigid and light frame. Engines were Blackburne or the slightly cheaper JAP, and later the reputable Villiers two-stroke. While never a large company Cotton certainly stood out from the crowd of runners using similar engines due to their frames and their TT successes. After the war Cotton produced a range of model which by 1960 was totally dependent on the Villiers engine. This was to lead to it's final demise at the end of the  1968 range as the production of Villiers engines stopped when the parent group Norton-Villiers-Triumph failed.

Click links for reviews and the photo to see a full size version

1960 Herald
250cc

1960 Messenger
325cc

1963 Vulcan
250cc

 

Cotton Road-Model Review

Vulcan 1954-56, Villiers 8E 197cc, 2-stroke, 3 speed
MP telescopic front forks fitted to a rigid frame which consisted of mainly straight tubes and duplex loops under the engine. Even so it was not so basic, having rectified lighting, with electric horn, good brakes and dual seat.

Cotanza 1955-60, Anzani 242cc, 2-stroke twin, 4 speed
Using a new frame with swinging arm rear suspension and telescopic forks between 1955-58, when Armstrong leading link front forks replaced the telescopic forks. Good brakes.

Vulcan 1955-63, Villiers 9E 197cc, 2-stroke, 3 or 4 speed, 255lbs
Frame with swinging arm rear suspension and telescopic forks between 1955-57, when Armstrong leading link front forks replaced the telescopic forks. In the late 50's this was fitted with full rear enclosure, but in 1960 this was an option or half rear enclosure.

Cotanza 325 1955-60, Anzani 322cc, 2-stroke twin, 4 speed, 255lbs
Using an Anzani twin engine fitted into the frame with swinging arm rear suspension and telescopic forks between 1955-58, when Armstrong leading link front forks replaced the telescopic forks. This had a two-into-one exhaust, twin tool boxes, and full width hubs. Available in 1960 by special order only for it's final year.

Villiers 1 1956-58, Villiers 2T 249cc, 2-stroke twin,  4 speed, 270lbs
Basically the Cotanza 325 cycle parts with the Villiers 2T engine fitted into the frame with swinging arm rear suspension and telescopic forks. 

Herald 1959-63, Villiers 2T 249cc, 2-stroke twin,  4 speed, 270lbs
Renamed Villiers Twin but fitted with the Armstrong leading link front forks. Rear enclosure covering the frame and rear wheel and also a deeply valanced front mudguard.

Messenger 1958-64, Villiers 3T 324cc, 2-stroke twin,  4 speed, 280lbs
Based on the Herald Villiers Twin fitted with the Armstrong leading link front forks and swinging arm rear suspension. Rear enclosure covering the frame and rear wheel and also a deeply valanced front mudguard was the same. In 1963 the Messenger received the duplex frame of the Continental and changed to a 19" front wheel.

Double Gloucester 1960-63, Villiers 2T 249cc , 2-stroke twin,  4 speed, 260lbs
Based on the Herald but with a tuned 2T engine. The rear enclosure went to half enclosure and a narrow front mudguard was fitted. This was augmented with dropped handlebars and flyscreen.

Vulcan Sports 1961-68, Villiers 9E 197cc, 2-stroke, 3 or 4 speed, 295lbs
Using the same cycle parts as the Double Gloucester but fitted with the smaller and simpler single cylinder engine unit.

Continental 1961-63 Villiers 2T 249cc, 2-stroke twin,  4 speed, 280lbs
Again a new model based on the cycle parts of the Double Gloucester, although sporting a new duplex frame with bigger brakes and a tuned engine.

Continental Sports 1963-68 Villiers 2T 249cc (1963), 4T 249cc (1964-68), 2-stroke twin,  4 speed, 280lbs
Using a larger carburettor, new hubs and chrome plated mudguards.

Corsair 1961-64, Villiers 31A 246cc, 2-stroke, 4 speed, 255lbs
This was the single cylinder version of the Continental. Using a single duplex loop frame, larger brakes, normal handlebars and partial rear enclosure.

Conquest 1965-68, Villiers Starmaker 247cc, 2-stroke, 4 speed, 260lbs
Based on the Corsair but fitted with the Villiers Starmaker, which was now available in the Cobra Scrambles and the Telstar Road Racing models.