Batten collection

Material relating to James Batten of Beckenham Motor Company. The collection comprises correspondence, news clippings and magazines, photographs and images, advertisements, publications (including programmes for race meetings), and registration documents. It consists of six series: [1] Miscellaneous - oddments and originals; [2] All vehicles; [3] CKR 191; [4] DKM 651; [5] Beckenham Specials; [6] Beckenham Motor Company.

James Denne Batten was born in 1897, in London. He was educated at Wyggeston in Leicester and Northampton Engineering College.

The Beckenham Motor Company was established in about 1910 by Edward Batten, producing printed linoleum (oil cloth). After WWI, Edward Batten's sons, Jim (James) and Ted Batten returned to the company, with Jim continuing the manufacture of linoleum and Ted setting up a second department which dealt with cars. Jim Batten was Managing Director. The premises was shut down on the advent of WWII.

Ted Batten died in 1967, and Jim Batten died on 6 Mar 1985.

Cars built at the Beckenham Motor Company:

JW 2217 - Prototype Batten Special.

CKN 923.

YY7062

CKR 191 - Batten Brooklands Racing Special.

DLR 232 - Batten Special drophead.

DKM 651 - Batten Special.

AKT 588 - Barson Special.

KO 2172 - Beckenham Special.

HBP 270 - Salmon Special.

There is also a photograph of a 227 KT car in the collection.

Open to researchers, by appointment. For further information, please see: nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/Motoring_research_service

Please apply to the Archivist if you would like to make any copy of the material.

Donated by Wendy Warren, daughter of Jim Batten, in 04 Oct 2006.