Velocette motorcycles started as “Taylor, Gue LTD,” named after the creators, but they eventually settled on Velocette, named after one of the early models. Opening in 1905, the Birmingham, England firm focused intently on motorcycles and soon created many innovations that would also make them competitive racers. Post-WWII, the company produced their best-selling model, the “LE,” also used by police. In 1964 the company released the “Venom,” a crowning achievement of performance. Sadly, like other motorcycle manufacturers of the 60s, they faced stiff competition from Japanese producers and would eventually fold in 1972.