FOLLOWING an horrific computer crash, I have lost much data, and turn to your readers to assist me with information concerning the Castle Three three-wheel cycle car built in Kidderminster until the company folded in the early 1920s.

Only two known examples of the vehicle exist.

In the 20s, the Castle Three’s main competitors were BSA, and the more famous Morgan Motor Company of Malvern.

All these cars were of three-wheel cycle car design and only Morgan is still producing a three wheeler.

During the Castle Three production, workers included my father, the late Cyril Arnold Lloyd, Bertie Matthews and Mr Baggott.

Bertie was later to own a filling station in Stourport Road, Kidderminster, on the left, just beyond the right turn into Sutton Road.

Hopefully, some of your readers may be able to shed some light on the Castle Three.

I am also asking readers for help regarding a very rare automobile – The Brinton White Knight.

I believe only two were made, and only one still exists – in the Brinton family.

The name Knight refers specifically to the car’s two-litre engine which had sleeve valves which were not popular and died out.

Esteemed car manufacturer Daimler was involved with the Silent Knight engine.

Your readers will be aware of the death last year of Michael Brinton, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire.

In January 2006 Michael welcomed me and a former Brintons employee to his home.

I was specifically seeking information regarding the Brinton car.

We were royally received and I was able to photograph it.

The rarity of the White Knight deserves national recognition and Kidderminster can be proud of it’s historic value.

Recently, I have had correspondence with noted motoring historian Michael Worthington-Williams whose article on the Brinton car appeared in the December 1988 issue of The Automobile .

He has filled in many gaps in my knowledge and he told me the following: “Cecil Charles Brinton was born in London on April 25, 1883, the seventh son of John Brinton MP of Moorhall, Stourport.

Educated at Cheltenham College and Caius College, Cambridge he won the Salamon’s Engineering Scholarship and took an Honours Degree at Cambridge.

An earlier distinguished scholar was the Hon Charles Stewart Rolls (of Rolls Royce).

In 1924 Cecil entered the family carpet business in Kidderminster founded by his great grandfather in 1783, and one of his first tasks was to redesign the gripper Axminster loom invented in 1893 by Thomas Greenwood, an employee of the company.

From an early age, he took an interest in motoring, graduating from bicycles to a Rex motorcycle whilst at Cambridge.

As early as 1904, he designed and built his first car, that was registered 04, an early Birmingham issue.

This number was transferred to various later vehicles and for some years graced the Bentley of Sir Tatton Brinton, MP.”

The radiator mascot of the White Knight is fashioned in the semblance of a chess piece.

Cecil Brinton was to design the Brinton White Knight motorcar that triumphantly is still owned by the Brinton family.

What of its future? We look to the Brinton family to advise.

In the meantime, I appeal to Kidderminster people to contact me if they should have something to tell of the Brinton White Knight or the Castle Three.

GEOFF LLOYD 35 Talbot Fields High Ercall Telford TF6 6LY 01952 770353 geoff@gloyderdrome.com