Karrier

Karrier Motors Limited

Company type	Public company (from 1920)
Industry	Motor vehicles, municipal equipment, trolleybuses
Predecessor	Clayton and Co. (Huddersfield) Limited
Founded	1908
Founder	Herbert Fitzroy Clayton
Defunct	Early 1970s (brand discontinued)
Fate	Acquired by Rootes Group in 1934; brand phased out after Chrysler takeover
Successor	Rootes Group (Commer division)
Headquarters	Huddersfield , United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom
Key people	Herbert Fitzroy Clayton, Reginald Fitzroy Clayton
Products	Motorized municipal equipment, light commercial vehicles, trolleybuses, buses, trucks, tractors
Number of employees	~700 (1934)
Parent	Rootes Group (from 1934), then Chrysler Europe

Karrier was a British brand specializing in motorized municipal equipment, light commercial vehicles, and trolleybuses, all produced at Karrier Works in Huddersfield by Clayton and Co. (Huddersfield) Limited. The manufacturing of Karrier vehicles commenced in 1908. In 1920, H.F. Clayton divested Clayton and Co's Huddersfield operations to a public entity named Karrier Motors, while maintaining the Penistone division independently. Clayton & Co Penistone continues to operate today as the Clayton Penistone Group.

The company was known for producing buses and municipal machinery, with the Karrier 'W' trolleybus being a notable model during the Second World War.

In 1934, Karrier was incorporated into the Rootes Group, preserving its brand identity but functioning under Rootes' Commer commercial vehicle division. Following Chrysler's acquisition of Rootes in 1967, the Karrier name gradually disappeared, ceasing use by the early 1970s.

Clayton and Co

Herbert Fitzroy Clayton (1857–1935), originally a chemicals manufacturer and dyer, founded Clayton & Co Huddersfield Limited in 1904 to manage his engineering enterprise initiated in 1899. In 1908, with his son Reginald Fitzroy Clayton (1885–1964) joining the business, the company began designing and building petrol-powered Karrier motor vehicles and charabancs, which became their principal focus.

By 1920, Clayton & Co Huddersfield was sold to a newly established public company named Karrier Motors Limited, whereas Clayton & Co Penistone remained separate. At that point, their product range included:

• Karrier motor lorries, vans, and charabancs
• Fog signalling devices and detonators (produced at both Huddersfield and Penistone), retained by Clayton & Co Penistone
• Patents covering the Combined Motor Roadsweeper, Sprinkler, and Refuse Collector designed for municipal cleaning

During the late 1920s, Karrier Motors encountered financial challenges marked by considerable losses. A planned merger with T.S. Motors Limited (Tilling-Stevens) in 1932 was soon abandoned. By August 1933, the company disclosed a significant loss for the previous year. In June 1934, Karrier entered receivership but continued trading while negotiations proceeded until its acquisition by Rootes.

Rootes Group

In August 1934, Rootes Securities acquired Karrier through its partially owned subsidiaries when workforce numbers had dropped to around 700 employees. Rootes shut down the Huddersfield facility and relocated production to Commer’s factory in Luton. Manufacture of trolleybuses was transferred to Moorfield Works in Wolverhampton alongside Sunbeam Commercial Vehicles’ trolleybus production. Tilling Stevens became part of the Rootes Group in 1950.

Dodge (UK)

Dodge Brothers—an American leader in light truck manufacturing—started assembling knocked-down kits at Park Royal, London in 1922. After becoming a Chrysler subsidiary in 1928, production shifted to Chrysler’s Kew plant. Vehicles produced there were referred to as "Dodge Kews," while American model cars carried the "Chrysler Kews" badge. During the Second World War, the Kew factory was integrated into the London Aircraft Production Group for manufacturing components of Handley Page Halifax bombers. In 1965, Dodge truck manufacturing merged with Commer and Karrier operations at Dunstable. The former Chrysler factory site now houses The National Archives.

Chrysler Europe

By the year 1970, Chrysler Europe had fully integrated the Rootes Group, a move supported by the British Government aimed at preserving the faltering UK automotive sector. Within this framework, the Dodge brand emerged as the leading name for all commercial vehicle lines. The Karrier badge persisted mainly through the Dodge 50 Series, which was initially marketed as Chrysler Dodge but continued to carry a Karrier Motor Company VIN plate.

Peugeot and Renault

Chrysler ultimately withdrew from its UK operations, transferring ownership to Peugeot. With minimal focus on heavy trucks, Peugeot managed the manufacturing facility in partnership with Renault Véhicules Industriels (then under Renault, now part of Volvo), operating under the Karrier Motors Ltd title.

Peugeot still holds the Karrier trademark, leaving open the possibility that this marque could be reintroduced in future vehicle lineups.

Early trucks

Karrier’s initial vehicles utilized engines from J. Tylor and Sons, with a distinctive design placing the engine beneath the footboards to maximize cargo bed length. By 1910, they had developed a 25cwt truck featuring a traditional bonneted design. In 1913, Karrier produced a truck meeting the War Office Subsidy Scheme standards, ensuring civilian vehicles could be rapidly converted for military purposes. Throughout World War I, Karrier manufactured their "subsidy" model B4 truck with a 3–4 ton capacity and continued producing this alongside the 5-ton chain-driven B110 after the war.

By 1920, Karrier began producing proprietary engines across their entire range. At that year’s Olympia Commercial Vehicle Show, they presented 4 and 5 ton goods models, a road sweeper, and the "Superb" char-à-banc. The following year’s exhibition introduced a three-way tipper and a chassis featuring a forward-shifted driver position to increase load or passenger space by two feet. In 1922, Karrier unveiled smaller chassis variants: type C (30cwt) and type CX (2 ton or 14-seat char-à-banc), with the 30cwt model certified under the post-WWI War Department Subsidy Scheme (1922–1935).

Light tractor units

Colt

In 1929, Karrier introduced the "Colt," a three-wheeled dustcart chassis designed for Huddersfield Corporation. By 1930, this concept evolved into the "Cob" tractor unit intended for hauling road trailers on behalf of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway.

In 1933, Scammell launched their own Napier-engineered Scammell Mechanical Horse.

During the mid-1930s, the "Cob" lineup expanded with the addition of a four-wheeled version known as the "Bantam."

Cob

The "Cob" tractor was marketed as a "mechanical horse," developed by J Shearman of London, Midland and Scottish Railway. Its compact wheels allowed for sharp turning and easy navigation through congested areas. When connected to trailers, its front wheels lifted off the ground, classifying it as an articulated vehicle. It was capable of towing three tons at speeds up to 18 mph and could restart on slopes as steep as one in eight. Equipped with Jowett engines, production models—including the four-ton three-wheeled "Cob Major"—were exhibited at Olympia’s Motor Transport Show.

Ro-Railer

Karrier's Ro-Railer was an innovative single-deck hybrid bus designed to operate on both roadways and railway tracks, targeting service in towns and villages lacking direct rail access. Conceived by J Shearman, road motor engineer for London, Midland and Scottish Railway, it underwent testing in January 1931 along the route connecting Redbourn and Hemel Hempstead.

Although it did not achieve commercial success, Karrier's Ro-Railer could switch between rail and road modes within two and a half to five minutes. Powered by a six-cylinder engine and fitted with a body by Craven, it could reach speeds up to 50 mph. Operating during 1930–31 on the Stratford-on-Avon and Midland joint line, it was noted for delivering a rather rough ride. Eventually, it found new use transporting track ballast on Scotland’s West Highland Line.

Trolleybuses

Karrier pioneered the production of a three-axle passenger vehicle in Britain in 1925, a development made possible by the introduction of larger pneumatic tyres. The following year, Karrier collaborated with Clough, Smith & Co. Ltd. to develop the 'Karrier-Clough' trolley-omnibus, which Clough marketed until 1933 before Karrier assumed responsibility for sales.

Although there were several orders during 1933–34, Karrier went into receivership and was subsequently acquired by Humber in 1934, becoming part of the Rootes Group. Production of trolleybuses was transferred to Rootes's Sunbeam facility in Wolverhampton and continued up to World War II. During the war years, only the W4 model was produced, branded either as Sunbeam or Karrier.

After the war, production briefly restarted until the trolleybus division was sold to Brockhouse in 1946.

Rootes Group products

During the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, some Karrier vehicles were fitted with the Rootes TS3 two-stroke opposed piston diesel engine. Other powerplants included Humber Hawk four-cylinder petrol engines (both L-Head and OHC variants), six-cylinder petrol engines from Humber Super Snipe (L-Head and OHV), as well as diesel engines from Perkins.

At the Luton facility, only the three-wheeler and six-wheel trolleybus chassis designs from earlier models were preserved.

Following Sunbeam's acquisition by Rootes, the trolleybus operations merged with Sunbeam Commercial Vehicles Limited; this trolleybus division was later sold to Guy Motors in 1948.

Within the Rootes Group portfolio, Karrier trucks were typically smaller than their sibling brand Commer. The "Bantam" series featured 13-inch wheels while "Gamecock" models came with 16-inch wheels, both designed to reduce loading heights. These vehicles primarily served local authorities for tasks such as highway maintenance tipper trucks, refuse collection units, and street lighting maintenance tower wagons. Additionally, Karrier supplied specialized vehicles for airports and airlines including baggage handling trucks, water bowsers, and toilet servicing units.

Lorry or bus chassis

• A/40-110 cwt type (from 1908)
• B/20-110 cwt type (from 1910)
• C type (1922–1934)
  • C: 14-seat or 30 cwt (1922, 1924–25)
  • CK3: 3 ton RSC road sweeper-collector (circa 1937)
  • CK6: 3 ton RSC road sweeper-collector (circa 1937)
  • CX: 40 cwt (1922) public cleansing vehicle
  • CY: 40 cwt or 20 seat (1924–27)
  • CY1 (from 1925)
  • CY2: 40 cwt (1928–31) low loader refuse wagon
    • Victor: 65 cwt (1932)
  • CY3: hand-operated tipper
  • CVR: 50-65 cwt (1930–34) low-loader
  • CYR: 60 cwt (1934) low loader refuse wagon
  • CYS: 40 cwt
  • CWY: 60 cwt (1926–31)
    • Protector: 75/80 cwt (1932–34)
  • CL: 20/29 seat 60 cwt e.g. Norfolk (1926)
  • CY6: 50 cwt (1926)
  • CL4: 30, 26, or 26/29 seat (1927–29)
  • CL6: 30 seat (1928)
  • CV5: 32 seat (1928)
  • CV6: six-wheel rigid body, 65 cwt chassis (from 1926)
  • CL R-6WH: 30 seat (1927)
• K (forward control) and SK (side control) types (1922–33)
  • K1: 60/65 cwt or seating for 28–45 passengers (1922–23)
    • SK1: 60/65 cwt (1922–23)
  • K2: ranging from 70 to 80 cwt (1922–24)
    • SK2: ranging from 70 to 80 cwt (1922–24)
  • K3: 60 cwt or seating for 28–54 passengers (1922–25)
    • SK3: seating for 33/35 passengers (1922–25)
  • K4: between 80 and 90 cwt (1922–27)
    • SK4: approximately 80 cwt (1922–25)
  • K5: between100 and120 cwt (1922–31)
    • SK5: between100 and110 cwt (1922–25)
      • Consul:155 cwt model (1932–34)
      • Carrimore:10/12 ton on K5 chassis circa1936
  • KL: seating for30/32 passengers with a5 ton capacity e.g. Stafford model(1926)
  • K6 tractor model rated at12 tons(1927–31)
  • K7 model rated at7 tons(1928–31)
  • KW6 rated at8 tons(1929)
  • KWR6 rated at8/9 tons(1930–33)
  • KWF6 rated at8/10 tons(1930–33)
• J type series(1924–29)
  • JH rated at60/70 cwt(1924–27)
  • JK seating for30/32 passengers with75 cwt capacity e.g. Durham model(1926)
  • JKL seating options of52 or32 passengers(1927–28)
  • JKL FC seating for32 passengers(1929)
• H type offering18–25 seats or50 cwt capacity(1922–25)
• Z series rated at20/25 cwt(1925–27)
  • ZX variant rated at30 cwt or seating for20 passengers e.g. Devon model(1926–29)
  • ZX2 seating for24 passengers(1927)
• WD rated at2 tons(1924–26)
• GH4 rated at80/95 cwt(1928–33)
  • GH5 FC rated at80/100/120 cwt(1929–33)
  • Colossus rated at220/265 cwt(1932–34)
  • Falcon rated at3 tons(1934)
  • Defender rated at5 tons(1934)
  • Elector rated at6 tons(1934)
  • Autocrat forward drive rated at6 tons(1934)
  • Democrat rated at5 tons(1934)

Bus chassis

WL6 rigid 6-wheel chassis, 5-ton capacity, accommodating either 28 passengers in single-deck or 54 in double-deck configurations

DD6 series of bus chassis models produced between 1929 and 1931

WO6 range of bus chassis manufactured from 1929 to 1931

RM6 chassis with 100/120 cwt capacity, produced during 1931–32

FM6 chassis rated at 100/120 cwt, available from 1931 through 1934

TT tractor chassis with a 12-ton rating, built between 1931 and 1933

Cutter, a 4-wheel chassis designed for 20 seats, manufactured from 1928 to 1932

Coaster, a 4-wheel chassis for 28 passengers, produced from 1928 to 1935

Chaser 4, a 4-wheel chassis seating between 26 and 35 passengers, produced from 1928 to 1932

Chaser 6, a model seating 26 passengers, built from 1930 to 1935

Clipper, a six-wheeled chassis designed for 40 seats, available from 1928 to 1931

Consort, a six-wheel chassis accommodating 68 passengers, manufactured between 1928 and 1934

Monitor, a four-wheeled double-decker bus with a seating capacity of 50, produced from 1929 to 1934

Trolley bus chassis

• Trolley Bus series initiated in 1935

  EA3 model featuring a single-deck four-wheel design seating between 32 and 34 passengers

  E4L light-eight single-deck four-wheel chassis with seating for 32

  E4 single-deck four-wheel chassis accommodating 32 passengers

  E4 double-deck four-wheel chassis with space for 56 passengers

  E6 Clough six-wheel double-decker seating up to 60 passengers

  E6A six-wheel double-deck chassis designed for a capacity of 70 seats

  W4 four-wheel double-deck trolley bus chassis

Light goods vehicles

• Colt series

  Colt three-wheeled tractor or RSC with a two-ton capacity (1930–34)

  Colt Major three-wheeled tractor rated at four tons (1930–34)

  Colt models produced between 1937 and 1939

• Cob line

  Cob three-wheeled tractor with a capacity of approximately 50/60 cwt (circa 1930)

  Cob Junior three-wheeled tractor or RSC road sweeper-collector rated at four tons (1935–39)

  Cob Major three-wheeled tractor with four-ton capacity

  Cob Senior three-wheeled tractor or RSC road sweeper-collector with six-ton rating (circa 1937)

  Cob Six three-wheeled tractor rated at six tons (1934)

• Gamecock series

  Gamecock E-series featuring a three to four-ton six-cylinder engine (from 1950 onwards)

  Gamecock fourteen-seat coach and ambulance models introduced in 1954

• Karrier-Walker and Dennis lineup: Karrier-Walker twelve-seat bus launched in 1958; Karrier-Dennis ambulance released in1962; Ramillies refuse collector also in1962; Karrier ice cream van around the same period
• Bantam range

  Bantam model with a fifty cwt rating produced during periods of1933–34 and1936–40

  Bantam RSC road sweeper-collector manufactured between1933 and1939

  Bantam F-series trucks ranging from two to three tons (1948–63)

  Bantam FA-series models rated between three and five tons (1948–63)

  Bantam tractors with four to five ton capacities introduced from1956 onward

  Bantam tipper trucks available starting in1958

  Bantam FB-series three-ton vehicles produced beginning in1972

Scale models and die-cast

• Meccano Ltd offered the "Dinky Toys" No.33a "Mechanical horse" at approximately1:48 scale, manufactured between1935 and1940 along with various trailer options.
• Lesney Products launched the "Matchbox" Series featuring No.37 Karrier Bantam two-ton "Coca-Cola lorry" (~00 scale) from1956 to1966; No.38 Bantam "refuse wagon" (~00 scale) available between1957 and1963.
• Corgi produced several Karrier Bantam variants including mobile shops, ice cream vans, and delivery vehicles (~O scale,1:44) during1957–1967. They also created a Decca mobile radar model based on the Gamecock design.
• De Agostini released the Gamecock fire appliance HJM349 water tender model at roughly1:72 scale.