Duplex [2] (United Kingdom)

The British Commercial Lorry & Engineering Co. Ltd, based in Manchester, operated from 1919 to 1921 and was known for its production of commercial vehicles and light cars. The company had previously manufactured chassis under the name County since 1915, which laid the groundwork for its later ventures into the automotive market.

In 1919, the company introduced a light car that featured a distinctive eight-cylinder engine, which was notable for its unconventional design. The engine consisted of two rows of four cylinders arranged in parallel within a single block. Each pair of cylinders shared a common combustion chamber, ignited by a single spark plug, and utilized sleeve valves operated by connecting rods linked to auxiliary crankshafts. This innovative design aimed to enhance performance, although it resulted in a higher annual tax due to the engine's capacity of 1479cc.

The overall design of the car remained conventional for its time, incorporating unit construction for the engine and gearbox, along with a center gear lever. The company offered various body styles, including two- and four-seater open configurations, as well as all-weather and conventional saloons by 1921. However, the production of the eight-cylinder model was limited, and by the summer of 1920, an alternative engine from Coventry-Simplex with a capacity of 1498cc became available, likely becoming the preferred choice for the majority of the approximately 100 Duplex cars produced.

Despite its innovative engineering, the Duplex faced challenges in the market, primarily due to its high price point. The company struggled financially and entered receivership by August 1921, marking the end of its brief existence in the automotive industry.