Armstrong-Whitworth (United Kingdom)

Sir W.G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co. Ltd, established in Newcastle upon Tyne, was a prominent British manufacturer known primarily for its production of armaments and shipbuilding. Founded by William Armstrong, a solicitor who began his industrial career in hydraulic machinery in 1847, the company expanded into firearms in 1855. In 1897, it merged with the company of Sir Joseph Whitworth, a pioneer in the development of the standard screw thread.

The automotive division of Armstrong-Whitworth was initiated by works manager Charles Englebach, who later became the works director at Austin. The company produced its first automobiles between 1902 and 1904, with models such as the ROOTS & VENABLES and the WILSON-PILCHER. The first car officially listed by Armstrong-Whitworth was the 28/36hp, featuring a 4-cylinder T-head engine and a 4-speed gearbox, produced in 1906 and 1907. This was followed by larger models, including the 30hp and 40hp variants, and a smaller 18/22hp model introduced in 1909.

By 1910, Armstrong-Whitworth had developed a more compact 12/14hp model, and in 1912, they launched their first 6-cylinder car, the 30/50, which was later enlarged in 1913. The company maintained a separate motor department, employing around 750 workers by 1914, with an output of approximately 10 to 12 chassis per week. However, the automotive production ceased with the onset of World War I.

In 1919, Armstrong-Whitworth merged its car division with Siddeley Deasy to form Armstrong-Siddeley Motors Ltd. The company continued to evolve, merging its armaments division with Vickers in 1927, which later became known for producing the iconic Spitfire aircraft. Armstrong-Whitworth's legacy in the automotive industry is marked by its early contributions to British motoring before transitioning to a focus on aircraft and armaments.