Welcome to Historic Hetchins, dedicated to Hetchins bicycles of historic interest. This web site is concerned with the history of the marque, model types and frames of special interest, and assisting in the identification, dating, and renovation of Hetchins frames.
This web site (hetchins.ORG) is not concerned with new production and is not the official organ of the manufacturer, Hetchins Lightweights. The production web site is at
hetchins.COM. For new production
This web site serves the following purposes:
1. to assist in the preservation and appreciation of Hetchins bicycles and frames;
2. to assist owners of Hetchins bicycles and frames by providing them with information and links to further information; a forum for the exchange of information on classic bicycles of all marques may be found at Classic Rendezvous;
3. to assist in the identification of Hetchins frames and frame types (model, year of construction, etc.);
4. to assist others who maintain the Hetchins Archive, which consists of information on the history of the marque and other related materials such as catalogs, press articles, technical specifications, etc., as well as physical objects such as tubes, lug sets, metal badges, transfers, jersies, printed bags, accessories, shop paraphernalia, and so on;
5. to assist others who maintain the Hetchins Register, the list of Hetchins known to survive;
6. to warn buyers and collectors about forgeries and rogue builders;
7. to provide a virtual museum of the Hetchins firm, its production and racing history, its bicycles, frames, accessories, and related items.
The bicycles and other related items displayed here are all in private hands, distributed all over the world. The Gallery section currently includes over 80 complete bikes covering more than 70 years of production. A single collection of Hetchins bicycles and accessories of this magitude would be impossible to assemble, much less maintain, under one roof. Moreover, many of the bicycles featured here are still in daily use. Hence, a virtual museum is the most appropriate means of presenting these items to the public.
The following abbreviations are used at this web site.
Hetchins models: AC: Anglo Continental, MB: Magnum Bonum, MO: Magnum Opus,
MO Mil: Magnum Opus Millennium, ND: Novus Ductor, SB: Scorpion Bonum,
VM: VadeMecum, XC: Experto Crede
Frame tubes: bb: bottom bracket, dt: down tube, ht: head tube,
st: seat tube, tt: top tube.
The Editor has no first-hand knowledge of the Hetchins operation as it was under Harry's or Alf's direction; he depends for information on many other people and hereby expresses his gratitude. Every effort is made to ensure that the information provided is accurate (completeness is virtually impossible in this field). Further information, suggestions, and corrections are gratefully accepted.
A number of people have contributed to this web site and their help is hereby acknowledged. The text, photos, suggestions, and encouragement they provide enrich this site. My sources, in alphabetical order, include the following: Dale Brown (CR Forum), Mick Butler (Paris Cycles), Marion Curwood (Jack Denny's daughter), Paul Hetchin, Len & Jean Ingram (The Hetchins Register), Ken Janes, Trevor Jarvis (TJ Cycles), Bob Johnson, Roger Lee (Hetchin's USA distributor, www.WorldClassCycles.com), David Miller, Andrew Moore, Doug Poll (Flying Gate Webmaster), Tom Rawson, Clive Rodell, Hilary Stone, Donald Thomas (Bob Jackson Cycles), others who wish to remain anonymous, and all those whose beautiful bikes appear here. Thank you! --the Editor.
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Above: Red/copper, 1976 Keyhole model; Blue, 1989 touring model.
Over 50 years apart. Green: 1951 Experto Crede. Black: 2005 Earls Court Two.
