Fawcett-Fowler (United Kingdom)

Fawcett-Fowler was a British automobile manufacturer that operated briefly from 1907 to 1909. Based in Liverpool, the company was part of a wave of steam car production in England during that period, alongside other manufacturers such as Bolsover, Pearson-Cox, and Rutherford.

The Fawcett-Fowler featured a 20/25 horsepower four-cylinder opposed engine, which was positioned under the bonnet. Notably, it utilized a flash boiler located over the rear axle, a design choice that deviated from the conventional layout of the time. This configuration aimed to minimize the length of the propeller shaft by keeping the engine close to the axle. The vehicle employed a long shaft connected to a countershaft, with final drive achieved through chains.

The design of the Fawcett-Fowler sought to emulate petrol car practices, which ultimately compromised the compactness that steam cars typically offered. The body style was a five-seater tourer, and its round condenser at the front gave it a resemblance to the Delaunay-Belleville. A subsequent model featured a radiator design reminiscent of Daimler vehicles. Despite optimistic predictions from publications like the Steam & Electric Car Review, which suggested that the Fawcett-Fowler steam car could achieve significant success, the brand was short-lived, lasting less than three years in the automotive market.