Diamond Motors (Wolverhampton)
of Upper Villiers Street, Wlverhampton, Makers of Graiseley electric trucks
Successor to Diamond Engineering Co
1935 Diamond Engineering Co moved to the old Villiers factory in Upper Villiers Street
1935 Diamond began production of the Graiseley pedestrian controlled electric truck. It initially proved popular as a cheap milk delivery vehicle, but then found uses in hospitals, factories, and warehouses, where its fumeless, noiseless, and economical operation, made it an ideal form of transport.
1937 The Graiseley electric van was introduced, made at the works of Diamond Motors, Upper Villiers Street, Wolverhampton. It was designed for 8-10-cwt. loads; other types would follow. It had a low driving platform, to allow step-free access, although the floor of the van body is 2 ft. 9 ins. above ground level to accommodate the batteries.[1]
1940 Graiseley electric chassis were produced by Diamond Motors (Wolverhampton), Ltd.; models had been in regular use for nearly two years and small fleets were by then in commercial operation up and down the country. The batteries were Exide-Ironclad or Britannia makes.[2]
1950 the Graiseley vehicle was offered for use in the industrial, dairy, bakers and ice cream sectors.
1950 Graiseley pedestrian-controlled electric vehicles produced by Diamond Motors (Wolverhampton), Ltd. included a covered stretcher-carrier for transporting patients from an ambulance to the ward, and for special purposes such as taking a spinal patient for an airing.[3]
1954 Two new models were exhibited by Diamond Motors (Wolverhampton), Ltd. - the Graiseley XL1 pedestrian-controlled stillage truck; and a petrol truck, to which may be fitted any type of body, powered by a Villiers 120 c.c. petrol engine. The company were developing a pedestrian-controlled pallet truck and a fork-lift truck.[4]
1960 Diamond Motors, Ltd., Stanley Street, Blackburn, Lanes, offered Graiseley trucks[5]
1969 Listers exhibited Graiseley platform trucks - see R. A. Lister and Co: Autotruck
At some point production of Graiseley electric vehicles was taken on by Gough Industrial Trucks of Hanley