Salsbury scooters: innovation in the Years 1930-1949

The American E. Foster Salisbury built its first scooters under the name Motor Glide in 1935. However, the name changed to Salsbury as early as 1936. The idea for his scooter came about when he saw famous pilot Amelia Earhart riding a 1916 Motoped scooter to a hangar.

Innovation in Salsbury scooters

The Salsbury scooters were equipped with a 100cc Johnson side-valve engine, which was cooled by forced air. They introduced the pioneering "Salsbury Self Shifting Transmission", an automatic transmission that gave the scooter a competitive edge.

Salsbury's war effort and takeover

During World War II, Salsbury developed wind tunnels for fighter jets, an experience that led to a takeover by AVION Inc, which immediately changed its name to Salsbury Motors Inc. After the war, in 1946, the company became the property of the Northrop aircraft group.

Thanks to the experience gained in wind tunnels, the Series 85 was developed in 1949, equipped with a powerful 318cc engine.
The Super-Scooter Model 85, also called the "Imperial Rocket Scooter", was designed to encourage car users to consider a scooter. Instead of a twist throttle, the 85 was presented as "the most fully automatic vehicle ever," with a foot-operated brake and throttle, without shifting gears. It had an innovative design with single-sided front and rear forks and double spring coils for the front suspension. With its long, low and streamlined shape, the Salsbury 85 looked futuristic, almost like something out of a sci-fi movie.

The end of Salsbury production

By 1949, when most Americans were able to buy a car, demand for scooters dropped dramatically, and production of Salsbury scooters ended. Despite their short production run of less than 1,000, the brand remains an influential player in the history of American scooters and an icon for scooter collectors and vintage vehicle enthusiasts.