Charron-Laycock (United Kingdom)

Charron-Laycock was a British automobile manufacturer that operated from 1919 to 1926. The company was established in Sheffield, Yorkshire, under the ownership of W.S. Laycock Ltd. The connection between the French automobile manufacturer Charron and the Sheffield-based company was facilitated by financier Davidson Dalziel, who became chairman of W.S. Laycock Ltd in 1916 following the death of its founder, William Samuel Laycock. During World War I, the company focused on munitions production, but Dalziel anticipated a shift in the automotive market post-war due to government-imposed tariffs on imported vehicles.

In 1919, an agreement was reached to produce the 17.9hp Charron in Sheffield; however, this plan did not materialize. Instead, the company developed a British-designed small car, which was the work of W.F. Milward, who later became the works manager for another manufacturer, Hampton. The Charron-Laycock featured a 1,372cc four-cylinder side-valve engine with a detachable head and shaft drive to a spiral bevel rear axle. In 1920, the engine capacity was increased to 1,460cc, and while the design saw minor changes, such as a shift from a slightly V-shaped radiator to a flat one, the overall model remained consistent throughout its production run.

The Charron-Laycock was regarded as a high-quality small car, but its pricing reflected this reputation, with a two-seater model costing £625 in 1920 and a coupé priced at £725. Although Laycock attempted to reduce prices in line with industry trends, the vehicle remained relatively expensive for its size. Most of the car bodies were manufactured by Laycock, although some were produced by Mulliner and Vanden Plas for specific models.

The company faced financial difficulties and went into receivership in December 1920. Despite the continued production of cars, the directors viewed this as a potential liability. In 1925, the rights to the Charron-Laycock were sold to the Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company, while spare parts were taken over by Gower & Ixe, which effectively became the new manufacturer. However, production dwindled, and although the Charron-Laycock was listed in some automotive guides until 1928, actual production ceased two years earlier. It is estimated that around 500 units were produced, with only three known to have survived to the present day.