Tilling-Stevens

Tilling-Stevens was a British manufacturer of buses and other commercial vehicles, based in Maidstone, Kent. Originally established in 1897, it became a specialist in petrol–electric vehicles. It continued as an independent manufacturer until 1950, when it was acquired by the Rootes Group.

W A Stevens of Maidstone

W.A. Stevens was established in Maidstone in 1897 by William Arthur Stevens and, by 1906, had built its first petrol–electric vehicle using designs patented by Percival (Percy) Frost-Smith. A petrol engine was connected to an electrical generator, and the current produced was fed to a traction motor that drove the rear wheels. W.A. Stevens also patented a system for converting conventional petrol buses for either battery–electric or petrol–electric propulsion, patent GB190820210.

Percy Frost-Smith

Percival Harry Frost-Smith was Managing Director of Tilling-Stevens Ltd in 1915–16, and he obtained several patents for improvements to motor vehicles between 1908 and 1918. These included:

With William Arthur Stevens, Worm drive for vehicles

With Francis Edwin Brown, Improvements in and relating to Worm Drive for Mechanically Propelled Vehicles

With Victor Snow Robinson, Improvements in and connected with the Electric Lighting of Vehicles

With Tilling-Stevens Ltd, Improved Means of Control for Petrol Electric Vehicles

Francis Edwin Brown was a son of David Brown, of David Brown Ltd.

Buses

Hallford-Stevens and Dennis-Stevens

The petrol–electric transmission was fitted to chassis built by J & E Hall, of Dartford, who used the trade name Hallford, so these were known as Hallford-Stevens.

Transmissions were also supplied to Dennis Bros, of Guildford, and these vehicles were named Dennis-Stevens.