Autocrat (United Kingdom)

The Autocrat Light Car Company was established in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 1913 and operated until 1926. The company initially produced cyclecars, starting with a model powered by an air-cooled V-twin engine sourced from Peugeot. This was soon followed by a water-cooled version utilizing a JAP V-twin engine. The design of the Peugeot engine featured a unique configuration with its cylinders mounted fore and aft and a transverse crankshaft, while the JAP engine was aligned conventionally with the frame.

Throughout its production run, the Autocrat underwent several changes in engine offerings and design. In 1913, the company introduced a 1098cc four-cylinder Chapuis-Domier engine, and by 1914, the twin-cylinder configuration was phased out in favor of a shaft-driven system connected to a three-speed gearbox. The radiator design also evolved from a bullnose style to a flat radiator. During World War I, production continued, and a 1340cc Coventry-Simplex engine was listed for use.

After the war, the Autocrat was manufactured in a different facility within the Balsall Heath area of Birmingham. The company diversified its engine suppliers, incorporating units from Hotchkiss, Anzani, Meadows, and Dorman. Notably, Dorman provided 240 units of their 1529cc engines, which included both overhead and side valve configurations. The Autocrat offered a range of luxurious body styles, including a coupé-phaeton with a detachable hardtop, and by 1920, it was one of the more expensive light cars available, priced at £875. Electric starting and saloon body options became available by 1923.

Despite its initial success, production of the Autocrat diminished significantly from 1924 to 1926. The company was acquired by Calthorpe in 1926, but Calthorpe faced its own challenges, leading to the closure of the Autocrat factory in the same year. Today, only one Autocrat vehicle is known to have survived.