Grose (United Kingdom)

Grose Ltd was an early British automobile manufacturer based in Northampton, active between 1899 and 1900. Founded by Joseph Grose, a bicycle maker born in 1861, the company emerged from Grose's innovations in bicycle design, particularly a patent-leather chain cover that included a lubricating device. This invention provided him with sufficient funds to purchase the first motorcar in Northampton, an 1897 Coventry Motette.

Dissatisfied with the performance of the Coventry Motette, Grose decided to create his own vehicles. He acquired six Benz engines and countershafts, which he fitted into a tubular chassis of his own design. The resulting vehicles, known as the Grose or Grose-Benz, were sold for £180 each and featured a body similar to that of the Benz Velo, although they were noted to be constructed on somewhat stronger lines than the standard Benz models.

After producing a limited batch of six cars, Grose ceased automobile manufacturing and transitioned to a successful career as a coachbuilder. He continued to produce car bodies until 1939 and manufactured commercial vehicles for approximately two decades longer. Grose Ltd remains in operation today, functioning as a dealer in automotive products.