CFB (United Kingdom) - AllCarIndex

C.F.B. Car Syndicate Ltd. was a British automobile manufacturer based in Upper Norwood, London, that operated briefly from 1920 to 1921. The company was founded by Charles F. Beauvais, who was also known for his work as a stylist for Avon bodies, which significantly influenced the design of Crossley and Standard cars in the 1930s.

The company produced a single model, a cyclecar powered by a 1078cc 9hp air-cooled V-twin Precision engine. This vehicle featured a unique friction transmission system, where the driven disc moved up and down a cone rather than sliding across another disc, which was a more common design at the time. Power was transmitted from the disc through bevel gears to a countershaft, and then via belts to the rear wheels. The frame of the cyclecar was constructed from reinforced ash, reflecting the materials and engineering practices of the era.

Despite its innovative design, C.F.B. Car Syndicate Ltd. did not achieve significant production levels, and the company ceased operations shortly after its inception. The brief existence of C.F.B. highlights the challenges faced by early automotive manufacturers in a competitive and rapidly evolving industry.