When John Lee started running his coal gas-powered taxi in the 1920s he hoped it would be the future of public transport.

But then came the charabanc, taking groups of day-trippers off to the Dales, and Mr Lee saw no future in the humble motor car.

More than 80 years later, his grandson, also called John Lee, is trying to find out more about his Keighley automobile venture, and he hopes Telegraph & Argus readers can help.

Petrol rationing after the First World War prompted Mr Lee Senior, an automotive engineer, to run taxis powered by coal gas bags. Each bag held about 10 kilos or 23lbs of gas, sufficient for 15 miles.

"He considered it a sound proposition for commercial vehicles covering comparatively short distances, and he ran two taxis on coal gas," said Mr Lee Junior. "He developed his own business, John Lee Automobile Engineers, on Chapel Lane in Keighley.

"But at the time he was running his gas-powered taxi the charabanc was proving very popular and my grandfather decided that was the future of public transport. He thought there was no future in cars because they used to stop every 10 minutes, so he sold his business to what I believe became Appleyards.

"I find it fascinating that my grandfather ran gas-powered taxis and I'd love to find out more about them, and about his business. It'd be wonderful if any of your readers could help."

Anyone with information about John Lee Automobile Engineers, or his gas-powered Keighley taxis, is asked to email johnlee@camsemi.com or call Emma Clayton at the T&A on (01274) 705261.

email: emma.clayton@ bradford. newsquest.co.uk

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