Booth Brothers Kenilworth

Scooters were first turned into motor scooters in 1907 with the ‘Max’ of Bristol and by 1916 the design was taken up enthusiastically in the USA. The first designs were stand up models, but by 1919 most had been ‘improved’ by the addition of a seat!

The ‘Kenilworth’ was a popular ‘miniature’ scooter made briefly by Booth Bros. of Coventry, at first as standing only, but later with a spring seat. It boasted 20mph, 130mpg, 75lbs in weight and only £50 cost new!

The 1¼ hp Norman 142cc four stroke engine had overhead valves and sparks came from a Runbaken magneto. Starting is easily achieved by walking alongside and slowly releasing an exhaust valve lifter (or decompressor) until the engine fires and takes over, at which time the rider (usually a female) would step aboard and open the throttle!

This extremely rare example was made between January and August 1920 and first registered by William Fraser of Water Street, Strichen, Aberdeenshire on 10th May 1921. It then went to Mrs Jane Webster who farmed with her husband at Croft No.14, Blackhills, Tyrie, Fraserburgh. Their son, James, a blacksmith in Tyrie, took it over and finally it passed to his daughter, Anna. Fortunately the Webster family have kept the machine in completely original condition, making it a rare survivor of a quirky design