Fergus [1] (United Kingdom, United States) - AllCarIndex

J.B. Ferguson Ltd was established in Belfast, Ireland, in the early 1900s, initially focusing on machine tool manufacturing. The company expanded into the automotive sector, becoming known for its bodywork and as an agent for various prominent British and Continental car brands. By 1914, it had developed the largest car repair works in Ireland.

In 1915, Ferguson introduced an advanced automobile featuring a 2.6-litre single overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine, designed by J.A. McKee with assistance from Roland Chilton and F. Eves. The vehicle was notable for its innovative design, which included a rigid box-section frame with rubber mountings and cantilever springs. The chassis was equipped with a pressure lubrication system that required oil changes at only 11 points every six months, and it featured an engine-driven pump for tire inflation.

Despite its technological advancements, the Fergus struggled in the marketplace, particularly due to the onset of World War I. A chassis was displayed at the New York Automobile Show in January 1916, receiving positive feedback that led to plans for production in the United States, specifically in Newark, New Jersey. However, the war delayed these plans, and production did not resume until 1920, by which time the vehicle had been updated with front-wheel brakes and a six-cylinder Northway engine. The pricing, however, was considered unrealistic, starting at $7,500 and increasing to $8,500 by 1922, which deterred potential buyers.

Ultimately, only three cars were produced: the original chassis, a sedan imported by a doctor on the East Coast, and a tourer variant known as the O.D. (owner driver). Following this limited production, the company shifted focus and became a garage and general engineering firm. After World War II, the successors of J.B. Ferguson transitioned into supplying electric hares for greyhound racing. The Ferguson name later gained recognition through the tractors manufactured by Harry Ferguson, J.B. Ferguson's brother.