Arnold (United Kingdom)

The Arnold Motor Carriage Company was established in East Peckham, Kent, in the late 19th century, specifically between 1896 and 1898. The company was a subsidiary of William Arnold & Sons, an agricultural engineering firm that had been in operation since 1844. Walter Arnold, a key figure in the company, played a significant role in its foray into the automotive industry after he returned from Germany in 1895 with a Benz vehicle and obtained a license to manufacture and sell Benz cars in England.

In November 1896, Arnold participated in the London-Brighton Emancipation Run, entering five cars and a van. However, only one of these vehicles was produced in Britain, while the others were imported. Between 1897 and 1898, the company manufactured a total of eleven cars, which were fundamentally based on Benz designs but featured engines developed by Arnold. These engines differed in cylinder dimensions and utilized bronze castings instead of iron.

One notable achievement of the Arnold Motor Carriage Company was the development of an electric starter for their 1896 prototype, which was purchased by electrical engineer H.J. Dowsing. This innovation was significant as it was the world's first electric starter, utilizing a dynamotor coupled to the flywheel to assist in starting the vehicle and aiding its ascent on hills. The prototype has survived to this day, marking an important milestone in automotive history.