block. The ever-growing popularity and output of Speedwell cycles again rendered it necessary for the company to seek more room. Speedwell were always supportive of bicycle racing in Australia, donated Royal Speedwells to race winners, and sponsor races (the Speedwell Cup ran from 1906 to at least 1955). In 1908 the head office of the company was transferred to the large building at the corner of Pitt and Bathurst Streets, designed by the Sydney architect Henry Austin Wilshire. The accommodation was such that it was thought that this building would suffice for all time. This opinion was altered very quickly and the company doubled its frontage in Pitt Street by purchasing the adjoining block. It was later found necessary to expand up Bathurst Street and the adjoining block was also acquired. By 1911 Bennett and Wood were advertising that they were the largest bicycle builders in Australasia. In 1924 Speedwell bikes were exhibited at the British Empire Exhibition in Wembley. They were awarded Wembley Medals, the only bicycles so awarded. After World War II Bennett and Wood's cycle manufacturing plant was located in the Pitt and Bathurst Street building, but as production increased, a more spacious factory had to be obtained for this section of the business. A large new factory was built at Redfern and opened c 1951 (Charles Bennett died in November 1947). The new factory in Redfern was state of the art with in-house chrome plating, painting, a canteen and full time first aid staff. They made nearly all of the bicycle in-house, including but not limited to frames, handlebars and stems. The saddles fitted were made by the Australian company Bell Saddles (Pierce Bell trading company of Sydney). In 1951/2 Speedwell were using a new process to paint the frames of the better racing models. This was referred to as translucent, colours being a silver or gold base with translucent colour over the top. Initially this was in blue, green, and red. This was referred to in the US as candy paint by hot rod enthusiasts and applied to cars. By the late 1950s Bennett and Wood had become predominantly a motor trade distribution firm. They, like the Repco Cycle company, had seen the growth in motor vehicle use as the means by which to further develop their business. By the mid-1960s the downturn in bicycle sales in Australia and the rationalisation of the bicycle industry