Argyll 15/30hp

Key facts

Year

1913
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

4084cc
Cylinders

4 cylinder
Output

Not recorded
Performance

40 mph
Price new

£825
Loaned by

Private Owner
Manufacturer

Argyll Motors Ltd

This Argyll 15/30hp is one of the earliest British production cars with 4-wheel brakes, a feature that did not become commonplace until the 1920s. The patented sleeve valve engine was designed specifically for Argyll. This car has been owned by the same family since new having originally been a wedding present to Mrs Poore from her husband.

Scottish manufacturer Argyll built a reputation for quality cars. Such was the company’s confidence that in 1906 it spent £220,000 (around £13 million at 2011 prices) building an extravagant new factory at Alexandria near Glasgow. However total production remained relatively small and within two years the firm was in liquidation. The factory remained open and production continued until 1914. An attempt at reviving the Argyll name in a smaller factory was made after 1915 but very few cars were made before production ended in 1928.