Percy Coleman Motorcycles – Established 100 Years Ago in 1925

On November 23rd 1925 Percy Coleman, a 28 year old mechanic opened a motorcycle shop in Guyton Street, Wanganui that after a few more larger premises in the coming decades, went onto become the largest motorcycle distributor in New Zealand by the early 1970’s. The business was importing small built up Suzuki cars in 1972 and opened a CKD assembly plant in Wanganui in 1976.

Percy Coleman had a very successful career racing motorcycles in New Zealand, Australia, Britain & USA being most successful on the Grass Mile tracks. Percy was working as a motorcycle foreman mechanic at the Indian Dealer, Nonparell Cycle & Motor Company in Palmerston North. This business was originally established in Ghuznee Street, Wellington. In November 1906 this company bought out the Palmerston North firm of Clarkson and Co and established a 2000 sq ft  showroom on the Square as its headquarters.

By the early 1920s Percy was looking to set up his own business. His employers suggested Wanganui was a location that would be going places, so Percy found premises in Guyton Street and started to develop his business ideas.

The Ilminster Buildings at 85-91 Guyton Street were built in 1914 and in 1924 Clifford Newton Hood was commissioned to design a workshop at the rear, as well as make shop front and other alterations to the main building. In September 1925, Hood wrote to the solicitors noting, re the work on the main building, that he “cannot guarantee that this will prevent further sinking of the building.” (A central support was being installed to lessen the sinking.)

Percy and his wife Annie lived in the apartment upstairs and what is now the shop next door, was the family lounge with toilet also on the ground floor. The late Rod Coleman was born upstairs in 1926. The business opened as a Harley Davidson agent and in 1930 after racing a Royal Enfield 350 in the Isle of Man Junior TT event as NZ’s first official representative, Percy came back to New Zealand as the Royal Enfield distributor.

During the following decades the company grew to become NZ Distributors for AJS, NSU, Suzuki, Lambretta, Norton, BSA, Montesa and Triumph.

During the 100th Year there will be a number of commemorative events organised by Robert Cochrane with the NZ Royal Enfield Riders Club, along with associated clubs and enthusiasts. The initial focus will be on a trio of Wanganui events, with others to be announced in future months.

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You can find out more about Percy Coleman in these articles here: