In 1903 a tool company was started by Charles Borg and Marshall Beck. Together with Charles’ son George and their chief machinist Gust Nelson, they developed and patented the original sliding clutch and by 1910 they were supplying clutches to over a dozen car makers. In 1918 they moved their factory from Moline, Illinois where they had started to Chicago and in 1928 the company merged with Warner Gear and other companies to form Borg-Warner, with George as its first President. In 1931 Borg & Beck clutches came to England when Automotive Products were granted a licence to use the name. A Humber 16hp saloon was the first car to be fitted with the new technology, others followed and soon Borg & Beck was market leader in the UK. First Line, the present owner of Borg & Beck, is trying to find out more about the early history of Borg & Beck, but it has proved very difficult to research beyond the 1930’s. The above information is about all that is known, but I'm confident that someone, somewhere can help to fill in some more details. Any prewar information is welcome! (with thanks to John Padbury of First Line).













December 15, 2006