Monument record 0950600000 - Cubitt Car Works, Aylesbury

The Cubitt factory was on the Bicester Road, Aylesbury and used brand new machinery to compete with American mass production technology. The factory produced cars from 1919 to 1925 and the building is now occupied by Versatile Fittings Ltd. Cubitt cars were made in Aylesbury in the years following the First World War. The factory building is still on the Bicester Road (Until November 2004 it was occupied by Versatile Fittings Ltd) but is now scheduled for demolition in 2005. The Cubitt Engineering Co Ltd, was a sister company of Cubitt the Builders who were responsible for such prestigious projects as Bloomsbury, Belgrave Square and a New East Wing to Buckingham Palace. Cubitt cars were well built and very attractive - just like the Cubitt buildings but the cars main selling point was its very competitive price - £442. Although several thousand cars were built, the company were never able to produce enough cars to make a profit and the company collapsed in 1925 after only 6 years of production. Buckinghamshire County Museum in Aylesbury has one of only five remaining Cubitt cars (B1).
The Cubitt was another make that flourished briefly in the entrepreneurial atmosphere of the 1920s. It was planned for mass production, and its design followed American practice in most respects. The factory was in Aylesbury, and the company was a subsidiary of the long-established and well-known construction company of the same name.
Their single model was made throughout, from 1920 to 1925, with a side-valve engine of just under 3 litres capacity: the gearbox was separate, and overhead worm drive was featured. Despite reasonable numbers exported, sales remained far short of those anticipated: the first cars were rather high in build and a little austere. S. F. Edge was engaged in 1922, and more attractive styling was one innovation, assisted by revising the worm drive so the propeller shaft ran lower. The last examples were much more handsome, but by now it was too late, and Cubitts voluntarily liquidated their subsidiary in 1925. Some 5,000 15.9hp Cubitts were made although very few are known to survive today (B2).
The OS 25" 1925 Edition map shows significant development on the central and north-western extents of the proposed redevelopment in the form of a large factory/warehouse structure. These belong to The Motor Body Works which were constructed between 1900 and the 1930s in three phases. The structure still stands today and is now used by Versatile Fittings Ltd. The 1951 6" Edition OS shows continuation of development out along Bicester Road. The Motor Body Works have been extended (B3).
Cubitt factory in production between 1919 and 1925. Site now Versatile Fittings and due for demolition very soon. Works with purpose-built machines using Ford-type assembly lines. Originally works covered 20 acres. Cars were selling at a loss from the beginning. Company was bankrupt by 1925. Only now five cars surviving. Company records are at the National Archives at Kew. Car company was an offshoot of Cubitt's builders (B4).
Cubitts factory in Bicester Road was taken over by Hazells in 1939 but Air Ministry requisitioned the premises intending to use it as a training school. This plan was not proceeded with so premises remained empty until after Dunkirk when Messrs E K Cole (ECHO) took over the factory, having been evacuated from Southend (B5).
'Motor Body Works' on 1919-27 Edition OS 6-inch map; 1938 6-inch emergency OS edition; 1944-51 6-inch provisional OS edition; 1944-53 6-inch provisional revised OS edition. 'Works' on NG 6-inch provisional edition 1955-62 and NG 6-inch provisional edition revised 1964-70 (B7).
Contemporary aerial and site photos (Bicester Road frontage only) submitted with planning application (B8).