International Surrey Company

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


International Surrey Company Ltd., also called "The Surrey Company", is a quadricycle manufacturer based in La Marque, Texas, USA.[1]

Having commenced quadricycle production in the mid-1980s, The Surrey Company is the oldest existing quadricycle manufacturer in the United States. They market under the slogan "We're not the best because we're the oldest; We're the oldest because we're the best".[2]

The company specializes in providing products for the quadricycle rental market.[2][3]

Contents

[edit] History

A 2008 model International Surrey Company DX Series 4 wheel Surrey quadricycle designed for 2 or 3 adult people and 2 small children, available with up to 7 speeds
A 2008 model International Surrey Company DX Series 4 wheel Surrey quadricycle designed for 2 or 3 adult people and 2 small children, available with up to 7 speeds

The company was formed as a quadracycle rental operator in 1970 under the name The Surrey Company with locations in Kissimmee, Florida and Galveston, Texas. The company also operated an affiliate under the name Beach Bike Rentals. They rented out the French Gitane Rosalie and the Italian bolt-together framed Selene Surrey. [4]

The renting of quadricycles was found to be very hard on the imported models and the quadricycles suffered equipment failures as a result. The Surrey Company made improved replacement parts, such as awnings and frames for these models and suggested improvements to the European manufacturers.[4]

By the mid-1980s the company found that it was economical to build their own complete quadricycles and decided to become a manufacturing operation. In 1996 the company started shipping products outside the United States for the first time and changed their name to International Surrey Company to reflect this new market focus.[4]

[edit] Design and uses

Quadricycles started out as leisure vehicles, but in the 21st century many are now used as a sustainable transportation alternative for short trips to neighborhood stores and schools.

The company now offers Surreys with a newly developed 7 speed transmission.[5]

[edit] Products Offered

[edit] Current products

  • OS Series Surrey
  • DX Series Surrey
  • California Cruzer
  • OS Series Surrey Limousine
  • DX Series Surrey Limousine
  • Surrey Stretch Limousine Bike[5]

[edit] Products under development

  • Bullet Trike
  • Surrey Tram
  • Roadrunner
  • Surrey Special edition
  • Surrey Taxi[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ International Surrey Company (2008). International Surrey Company Visit Us. Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  2. ^ a b International Surrey Company (2008). International Surrey Company. Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  3. ^ Swart, Randy (February 2008). [http://www.helmets.org/fourwhel.htm Where to Find A Four-Wheeled Bike or Tricycle]. Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  4. ^ a b c International Surrey Company (2008). International Surrey Company History. Retrieved on 2008-03-05.
  5. ^ a b c International Surrey Company (2008). International Surrey Company Products. Retrieved on 2008-03-05.

[edit] External links

 This cycling-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.