Chambers (United Kingdom) - AllCarIndex

Chambers Motors Ltd. was a notable automobile manufacturer based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, operating from 1904 until 1927. The company originated from Chambers & Co., which was established in 1897 and initially specialized in machinery for the bottling industry. The transition to automobile production was spearheaded by Jack Chambers, who had previously worked at Vauxhall Iron Works and contributed to the design of their first 5hp car in 1903.

The first vehicle produced by Chambers was a small car known as the Downshire, which was later renamed Chambers in February 1905. The company produced a range of models, including twins in 8, 10, and 10/12 horsepower configurations, and experimented with a horizontal four-cylinder engine in 1908. However, this engine proved unreliable, leading to the adoption of a 12/14hp vertical four-cylinder engine sourced from Coventry Climax. Chambers eventually developed its own monobloc four-cylinder engines, with displacements of 2052cc (11/15hp) and 2370cc (12/16hp), which powered their vehicles until 1924.

During World War I, Chambers experienced a surge in production, manufacturing ambulances and military equipment. However, post-war challenges arose, including the high costs associated with adopting electric lighting and starting systems, as well as a significant moulders' strike in 1921 that disrupted their supply chain. In response to market demands for more advanced engines, Chambers sought to modernize their offerings by collaborating with Meadows for new engine designs. Despite these efforts, only a limited number of vehicles were produced before the company ceased car production in 1927.

Throughout its operational years, Chambers produced approximately 500 vehicles, with the last model being an 18/48hp six-cylinder saloon. Today, one of the surviving examples is preserved in the Ulster Folk Museum, serving as a testament to the brand's historical significance in Northern Ireland's automotive industry.