Brocklebank (United Kingdom)

Brocklebank & Richards Ltd. was a British automobile manufacturer based in Birmingham, active from 1927 to 1929. The company was founded by Major John Brocklebank and R.W. Richards, both of whom were automotive enthusiasts with a particular interest in American engineering. Richards had previously worked at the Essex factory in Detroit, where he gained experience with six-cylinder engines, which influenced the design of Brocklebank's vehicles.

The Brocklebank featured a pushrod overhead valve engine designed by Richards, which had a capacity of 2051 cc, making it smaller than typical American six-cylinder engines. The company utilized components such as axles and a three-speed gearbox sourced from Warner in the United States. The bodywork of the cars was produced by R.W. Watson & Sons Ltd. of Lowestoft, Suffolk, and the vehicles were equipped with advanced features for the time, including Lockheed hydraulic brakes.

The first Brocklebank cars were showcased at the October 1927 motor show, with production having commenced earlier that year. The vehicles gained some traction in international markets, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, where a repeat order for 100 cars was reported in June 1927. At the 1928 Olympia Show, the company displayed more attractive body styles, including an aluminum-panelled saloon by Gordon England and a fabric saloon by Weymann, alongside open two- and four/five-seater models.

Despite initial success, Brocklebank & Richards Ltd. faced financial difficulties and ceased operations in 1929. Sir Herbert Austin considered acquiring the factory but ultimately deemed the asking price too high. Although Smith's Garage of Birmingham purchased spare parts with the intention of potentially resuming production, this plan did not materialize. Estimates of the total production of Brocklebank vehicles range from 350 to 600 units.