Remarkable isn’t it? This unassuming plaque marks the site of the Madelvic Car Factory. The oldest purpose-built car factory in the UK. Right here in Edinburgh.
The Madelvic Motor Carriage Company was a bold venture. Founded in 1898 by William Peck. He was Edinburgh’s City Astronomer. A rather unusual background for a car manufacturer. But Peck had a vision. A vision of electric cars.
Their first creation was an electric car. It was driven by a fifth wheel under the vehicle. It wasn’t exactly fast. Nor was it a huge success. Despite advertising at the Edinburgh Cycle Show in 1899. They promised the very latest motor vehicles. Early orders were necessary to ensure delivery that year.
But Peck persevered. He improved the designs. In May 1899 they won a contract. A contract with Her Majesty’s Postmaster General. To carry mail between Edinburgh’s General Post Office and Leith. Think about that. The very first motor vans used by the Scottish postal service. Madelvic built them. Three electric vans painted in Post Office colours. Scarlet picked out with gold and black. The Royal arms and monogram were displayed.
These weren’t your typical cars. The electric motors drove directly onto the front axle. No belts or chains. They had tubular steel chassis and weighed 900kg. They could carry over half a ton of mail. Even up the steep slope of Leith Street. The power came from accumulators. Rechargeable batteries located at the front.
Despite this success Madelvic faced money troubles. They were over budget before they even opened. The company went into liquidation in December 1899. The factory’s assets were auctioned off in May 1900.
The site saw various occupants after Madelvic. Kingsburgh Motor Company then Stirling Motor Carriages. Even torpedoes were stored here during World War I. Later United Wire used the office block as its administrative centre. Wire production didn’t begin until 1939.
Today the Madelvic House still stands. A testament to the ambition of William Peck and the Madelvic Car Factory. A lasting legacy even if the cars themselves weren’t. This plaque a small but important reminder of Edinburgh’s pioneering automotive past. A reminder of a time when electric vehicles were a new and exciting innovation. A time when Edinburgh was at the forefront of automotive technology.