A.J.S BOOK | David Cooper

AJS OF WOLVERHAMPTON

This book serves to illustrate an important and although often overlooked chapter of industrial history set in the Black Country town of Wolverhampton. It follows a truly remarkable story of achievement and success, brought about by the extraordinary talents and skills of the Stevens brothers born to a blacksmith’s family.

Few motorcycles have engendered greater affection and respect than the Wolverhampton built AJS. Its Black Country makers, the Stevens Brothers, created a marque whose sporting achievement and reputation during the three decades of this century has never been equalled. While the sporting achievements are legendary among enthusiasts the world over, little is known of the background behind the famous initials, the history of the Stevens family, the engineering genius of AJS cycles, motorcycles, wireless, commercial vehicles, busses and cars.

THE AUTHOR

Stephen Mills, an ardent AJS enthusiast, has travelled thousands of miles, the length and breadth of Britain, often accompanied by Geoff Stevens the son of Joe Stevens Junior, in search of the true facts behind this remarkable story of achievement. Stephen was born in Handsworth, Birmingham in July 1945. An engineering designer by profession, for twenty years managed his own business producing special purpose machinery within the material handling industry. He has enjoyed a lifelong interest in early motor vehicles, being a member of the Vintage Motorcycle Club and Austin Severn Club. Besides old motorcycles and cars, his other main interest is photography: he has been a past President of the Handsworth Photographic Society, founded in 1894.He is married to Irene, who with daughter Cara, have shared his enthusiasm for writing this book.