The Geishas in the Colibri

When the new for 1911, 12-16-h.p. Colibri, replacing the previous standard pair-cast 4-cylinder 10-12-h.p. and 12-14-h.p. “racer” models, arrived at the sole British concessionaire, Earls Court Motor Company, London in October 1910 it was described in some detail. There were many body and chassis improvements, as well as major engine changes which included raising its swept volume from c.1287cc to c.1544cc by increasing the stroke from 10cm to 12cm in a one-piece four-cylinder block now cast with integral water jacket and enclosed valves. The chassis was lengthened, the track widened, longer springs fitted, the mudguards made more rounded (the previous were sharply angular) covering larger wheels and tyres, gear and brake levers were moved inside bodywork, a larger deeper radiator was installed and most notably the crank-handle was removed from the bottom of the radiator and solidly mounted directly onto the chassis front cross-member, as visible here. All suggesting this is a Colibri from that last year when NAW used this brand name...

As to how it got there, Germany was recorded as the third largest exporter of cars and car parts to Japan during 1911-12, valued equal to £10,700 (of which £7300 was cars); the USA £64,100 (£40,900 cars) and Britain £27,600 (£17,200 cars). The Colibri design was well suited to Japanese conditions according to comments made in January 1910, when Mr. M. Spencer Smith of the Rising Sun Petroleum Company of Yokahama was photographed with his De Dion loaded with a dozen Geishas in Northern Japan: “The importation of cars is rapidly increasing in Japan; the types suitable are of medium power and short wheel-base, the unsatisfactory state of the roads and the denseness of the population rendering high powered engines practically useless.”

A Japanese automobile press was active by 1912 when a photograph of two more Geishas driving a large limousine appeared in European papers. Geishas in cars must have been tempting symbols of a modernising Japan.

Did they also make the Colibri cigarette lighters? I seem to remember Colibri watches too?