Imperial (British automobile)

This article is about the Imperial marque used by British manufacturers in the early 20th century. For the marque used by U.S. auto maker Chrysler, see Imperial (automobile). For the British motorcycle manufacturer 1887, 1901, 1912–1939, see New Imperial Motors.

Imperial was the name used for three separate makes of British car.

Imperial (Manchester) 1901-1906

The 1904 Imperial in the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.

Imperial Autocar Manufacturing company was based in Manchester, England. Two cars were introduced in 1901 with either a 3.5 hp 2 cylinder engine under the seat or 6 hp 2 cylinder engine front mounted.

Later the company sold French Lacoste et Battman models with Imperial bodies. The last ones seem to have been sold around 1906.

Imperial (Croydon) 1904-1905

Another Imperial was made by the Anti-Vibrator company of Croydon, Surrey. These were electrically powered with a motor in each rear wheel. Unusually for the time, the car had integral construction of body and chassis.

Imperial (London) 1914

The Imperial cyclecar was made by Implitico, a theatre lighting company in London, for one year only immediately before the First World War. The power came from an 8 hp V-twin Precision engine with a "gearbox" giving seven forward speeds and optional reverse using belts and pulleys.

The Model A cost £110 and had reverse, the Model B at £95 did without. About 12 cars were made.

See also

• List of car manufacturers of the United Kingdom