Coventry Premier (United Kingdom)

Coventry Premier Ltd. was a British automobile manufacturer based in Coventry, with origins tracing back to 1876 when it was established as a bicycle maker under the name Hillman & Herbert. One of the partners, William Hillman, later became known for producing the Hillman car. The company evolved over the years, becoming Hillman, Herbert & Cooper Ltd., and in 1892, it established the Premier Cycle Co. Ltd.

The company ventured into motorcycle production in 1908 and developed a cyclecar from 1912 to 1914. In November 1914, the name was officially changed to Coventry Premier. During World War I, the works manager G.W.A. Brown, who had previously worked with Talbot, designed an advanced small four-cylinder car. However, due to the war, this design did not enter production, although prototypes were tested during the conflict.

After the war, Coventry Premier shifted its focus to meet market demands, abandoning Brown's original design in favor of a three-wheeler equipped with a 1056cc V-twin engine, featuring shaft drive to the rear-mounted gearbox and enclosed chain final drive. In 1921, Coventry Premier was acquired by Singer, which subsequently developed a four-wheeled replacement for the three-wheeler. This new model was introduced in September 1921, while the remaining stocks of the three-wheeler were gradually sold off. Approximately 500 three-wheelers and 1,200 four-wheelers were sold during the company's operation.

By 1923, a more affordable version of the Singer Ten was marketed under the Coventry Premier name. However, the brand was eventually phased out, with its name disappearing from the automotive scene, although it continued to be associated with Singer-made bicycles until the late 1920s.