Skip to main content
Service phase: Beta

This is a new way to search our records, which we're still working on. Alternatively you can search our existing catalogue, Discovery.

Sub-fonds

Lucas Collection

Catalogue reference: LU-ADM-01 to LU-WIR-16; LU-AC-01

What’s it about?

This record is about the Lucas Collection dating from 1838 - 2015.

Access information is unavailable

Sorry, information for accessing this record is currently unavailable online. Please try again later.

Full description and record details

Reference
LU-ADM-01 to LU-WIR-16; LU-AC-01
Title
Lucas Collection
Date
1838 - 2015
Description

Extensive collection of historic documents and photographic material from Joseph Lucas & Son, Joseph Lucas Ltd and Lucas Industries. It also contains the family papers of the Lucas family.

Held by
British Motor Industry Heritage Trust
Legal status
Not Public Record(s)
Language
English, Russian, Spanish, French, Norwegian, German, Italian, Danish. Swedish, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese
Creator(s)
Joseph Lucas; Joseph Lucas Limited; Lucas Industries plc;
Physical description
1026 boxes; 23.6m³
Access conditions

To consult material please contact archive@britishmotormuseum.co.uk to book a Reading Room appointment. Appointments must be made 7 days in advance. Copyright owned by BMIHT. Documents (not photographic material) can be copied for research purposes, but subject to conservation and data protection restrictions.

Physical condition
Collection contains photographic negatives which are not accessible to the public
Unpublished finding aids
No additional Finding Aids
Administrative / biographical background

Lucas was a leading supplier of electrical equipment to the British motor industry for nearly 100 years and ? together with notable subsidiaries such as CAV, Girling and Rotax ? played a major role in the development of the motor car, commercial vehicle and aircraft industries. In the 1850s, Joseph Lucas began selling paraffin oil from a basket skip which he wheeled round the streets of Birmingham to support his family. Twenty years later he was manufacturing a range of items, most famously the ?Tom Bowling? ship lamp. Soon Joseph's eldest son, Harry, joined his father?s enterprise and they began trading as Joseph Lucas & Son. Together they exploited the newly developing cycle industry, marketing a hub lamp for the ?ordinary? bicycle which they called ?King of the Road? ? a name which quickly became associated with other Lucas products. The company grew with the transport industry and Joseph Lucas Limited was formed in 1897 before developing into the major supplier of electrical equipment known as Lucas Industries.

Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/16131aa0-f1d9-42a5-8488-e9a236366b4b/

Catalogue hierarchy

23,004 records

This record is held at British Motor Industry Heritage Trust

3,438 records

Within the fonds: LU-ADM-01 to LU-WIR-16; LU-AC-01

Papers relating to Joseph Lucas and family, Joseph Lucas Limited and Lucas Industries...

You are currently looking at the sub-fonds: LU-ADM-01 to LU-WIR-16; LU-AC-01

Lucas Collection