Gillyard (United Kingdom) - AllCarIndex

Gillyard was a British automobile manufacturer that operated briefly from 1912 to 1916. The company was based in Bradford, Yorkshire, and was a subsidiary of Barkerend Engineering Co. Ltd. Gillyard specialized in the production of cyclecars, which were lightweight vehicles designed to be economical and accessible.

The Gillyard cyclecar was powered by an 8-horsepower Chater-Lea two-cylinder engine, featuring a chain final drive system. This design aimed to provide a simple and efficient driving experience. In 1920, it was reported that the production of the Chater-Lea cyclecar would be taken over by the makers of Gillyard, with plans to market it under the Gillyard name. However, this transition did not materialize, and Chater-Lea resumed its own car manufacturing operations shortly thereafter.

Despite its short existence, Gillyard contributed to the early automotive landscape in the United Kingdom during the cyclecar era. The company ceased operations in 1916, and its vehicles became a part of the historical narrative of early British motoring.