Whatever happened to British-built helmets

Kangol were once the most illustrious lid brand around. Then… nothing
Once, there was a world before Arai, Shoei and Shark. A different world where the preferred helmets for British motorcyclists were – odd that this now sounds – British. Back in the late ’70s, in motorcycling’s heyday when 17-year-olds terrorised the High Street on 250-strokers, a licence was a Post Office form away and typical biking attire included Doc Marts and a paddock jacket, helmets usually came with union flags on them. Kangol were one of a number of UK helmet firms who flourished in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s and were famously worn by racers – including Mike Hailwood. Others included Stadium, Centurion, Cromwell, Paddy Hopkirk and Griffin – all of which have disappeared. So what happened? And where did they go?