Blackburn

Blackburn Aeroplane & Motor Co. Ltd was an aircraft manufacturer based in Leeds, Yorkshire, that turned briefly to car production following the end of the First World War, when military contracts dried up and demand for aircraft collapsed.

Unlike several other aviation firms of the era, which sought to apply aeronautical engineering principles to automobile design, Blackburn chose a conservative approach for its car. The vehicle was powered by a large four-cylinder Coventry-Simplex engine of 3160cc, initially built with cylinders cast in pairs before a monobloc version was adopted for the 1922 model year. The car used a separate gearbox and a cone clutch, both conventional features for the period, while its radiator design closely resembled that of Rolls-Royce, a styling choice common among manufacturers seeking an air of quality and refinement.

In addition to producing complete cars, Blackburn also manufactured bodies for other automobile makers, extending its involvement in the industry beyond its own limited model range.

The company's foray into car manufacturing was short-lived, and Blackburn ultimately returned its focus to aircraft production, for which it became far better known in subsequent decades.