Marlborough (Anglo-French car)
| Company type | Automobile marque |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Defunct | 1926 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, France |
Key people | T.B. André (proprietor from 1909) |
| Products | Automobiles |
The Marlborough was a British automobile marque available between 1906 and 1926. Initially, the cars were produced by Malicet et Blin in France; however, following World War I, assembly partially shifted to London with an increasing proportion of British-made parts.
History
At the outset, Marlborough vehicles were probably entirely manufactured by Malicet et Blin, but gradually the British content increased. This progression culminated in the final 2-litre model being completely constructed in England. Malicet & Blin were known for supplying engines, gearboxes, and chassis components to various French automotive manufacturers.
In 1909, T.B. André, proprietor of Hartford Friction disk shock absorbers, acquired the dealership and introduced larger cars powered by engines ranging from 2210 cc to 3617 cc.
Following World War I, Marlborough launched a model equipped with a British Anzani engine in 1922. This was soon succeeded by a vehicle fitted with a French CIME engine, which remained in production until the company ceased operations in 1926. By 1924, André had shifted his focus to the Marlborough-Thomas, a sports car created in collaboration with J. G. Parry-Thomas at Brooklands.
The cars
The earliest Marlborough model appeared in Britain in 1906 through C.C.C. of Taunton (Chassis Construction Company) at the London Agricultural Hall Motor Show—a single-cylinder car rated at 7 hp.
In 1909, André introduced larger vehicles featuring engines from 2210 cc up to 3617 cc. The 12 hp variant housed a 2.8-litre four-cylinder engine with magneto ignition, cone clutch, and shaft drive, retailing at £120. The range also included a 3.1-litre four-cylinder and a 3.6-litre six-cylinder option priced at £350. This series remained available until 1911.
Marlborough debuted an early cyclecar in 1912 priced at £185, predominantly French-built with an 1130 cc four-cylinder engine and shaft drive. Its sporting reputation was bolstered by Sir Francis Samuelson’s participation in the Cyclecar Grand Prix. An electrically equipped version featuring a 1.2-litre engine was offered at £275. After World War I, this model returned with slight modifications such as a rounded radiator and a four-speed gearbox.
By 1921, the pre-war lightweight car was replaced by a British Anzani-powered model (1496 cc) incorporating rod-operated brakes and a flat radiator; its Roadspeed sports version was reported to exceed speeds of 60 mph.
In 1922, Marlborough introduced a smaller light car fitted with a French 1100 cc C.I.M.E. engine. Priced at £175 by 1924, this model was produced until the brand’s closure in 1926.
The last design—a British-built sports car equipped with a 2-litre six-cylinder overhead-valve Coventry Climax engine capable of reaching 75 mph and featuring four-wheel brakes—did not advance to customer production.
T.B. André
Theodore Bernard André from Essex assumed control of the UK dealership in 1909. His business interests extended to manufacturing Silentbloc rubber bushed bearings; Hartford shock absorbers; brake shoes under the Len Brake Co name; as well as involvement with the Marlborough-Thomas (1923–24) and the André automobile produced between 1933 and 1934.
See also
Additional sources
- David Culshaw and Peter Horrobin: The Complete Catalogue of British Cars 1895–1975. Veloce Publishing plc. Dorchester (1999).
- Articles with short description
- Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United Kingdom
- Vehicle manufacture in London
- 1920s cars
- 1910s cars
- 1906 establishments in England
- 1926 disestablishments in England
- Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
- British companies disestablished in 1926
- British companies established in 1906
- Cars of England
- Cars of France