Buckingham / Chota (United Kingdom) - AllCarIndex

Buckingham was a British automobile manufacturer that operated from 1913 to 1923, primarily known for its cyclecars. The company was founded by J.F. Buckingham, who initially established Buckingham Engine Works in Coventry in 1913. The first model, originally named the Chora—derived from the Hindustani word for "small"—featured a 6/8hp 746cc single-cylinder overhead valve engine designed and manufactured by Buckingham himself. This was notable at a time when many cyclecars relied on engines sourced from other manufacturers.

In 1913, Buckingham introduced a low-slung single-seater variant aimed at setting records at Brooklands, which was also made available for sale. By the end of that year, the company had expanded its offerings to include a 1492cc V-twin engine with staggered cylinders. The name of the Chora was changed to Buckingham in September 1913, and production ramped up to approximately 15 units per week by early 1914. The company also supplied engines to other cyclecar manufacturers, including Duo and H.C.E.

During World War I, Buckingham gained recognition for inventing the incendiary bullet used in anti-Zeppelin operations. After the war, he reintroduced a cyclecar featuring a prewar 2-cylinder engine and a 2-speed gearbox. The bodywork was designed by Charlesworth, but production was limited, and the model was eventually manufactured by Alvis at their Holyhead Road factory. The transmission was updated to a conventional Moss 3-speed gearbox with shaft drive. However, the introduction of the Austin Seven in 1922 significantly impacted the cyclecar market, leading to the discontinuation of the Buckingham model by Alvis in 1923, with only about 30 units produced.