Calcott 11.9hp

Key facts

Year

1923
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

1,645cc
Cylinders

4 cylinder
Valves

Side valve
Output

11.9hp (RAC rating)
Performance

40mph
Price new

£395
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Calcott Brothers Ltd

Calcott was one of many small British manufacturers competing for a share in the growing market for light cars during the 1920s. The 11.9hp model first appeared in 1920 and was basically an updated version of their 10hp car that dated back to 1913. A number of body styles were available, all supplied by coachbuilding companies.

Calcott originated as Calcott & West in the 1880s, making bicycles and roller skates. They made motorcycles from 1904 to 1915 and built their first car in 1913. Like many of the other small manufacturers, Calcott struggled to compete with cheaper mass-produced products from competitors such as Morris and Austin. The company went bankrupt in 1925, shortly after launching a new six-cylinder model. The factory was taken over by Singer in 1926. Around 2,500 Calcotts were built.