An Illustrated History of Passenger Bodies Built by Lee Motor Works (Bournemouth) Ltd

The Lee family had its origins in the market town of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, an area well known in the 19th century as home to the traditional furniture making industry. In the 1920s, the family of John V Lee relocated to Bournemouth, where the business of motor engineers and coach building was registered in April 1925. Lee Motors, as they were known locally, grew to become a very large diverse business in the motor trade across Bournemouth, West Hampshire and Dorset. The Motor Works at Winton was heavily engaged in the construction of a wide range of commercial bodywork from various chassis manufacturers including AEC, Albion, Dennis and Leyland. The company also took over the business of Wall & Martin located in New Milton, Hampshire. At its heyday, Lee Motors employed 250 people across the company business, including 9 to10 staff in the Winton parts department and 15 staff in the Winton mechanical workshop alone.