Eric-Campbell (United Kingdom) - AllCarIndex

Eric Campbell was a British automobile manufacturer that operated from 1919 to 1926. The company was founded by Hugh Eric Orr-Ewing and Noel Campbell Macklin, who combined their names to create the brand. Initially established as Eric, Campbell & Co. Ltd in Cricklewood, London, the company later transitioned to Vulcan Iron & Metal Works Ltd in Southall, Middlesex, in 1922.

The company produced light cars that featured a 1505cc Coventry Simplex four-cylinder engine, equipped with high-lift camshafts and drilled piston skirts. The vehicles were designed with a focus on performance, targeting sports enthusiasts rather than family motorists. The prototype utilized a pre-war Swift chassis and was characterized by a polished aluminum two-seater body. In November 1919, Eric Campbell entered two cars in the Targa Florio, one of the first post-war races, marking a notable participation for a small, relatively unknown manufacturer.

Despite their ambitions, the company faced financial difficulties, exacerbated by their involvement in competitive racing. Macklin departed in May 1920 to pursue other projects, including the Silver Hawk. By 1921, the company struggled to sell its cars, which were offered at discounted prices. Production was taken over by Vulcan Iron Works in 1922, which continued to manufacture the Coventry Simplex-engined vehicles at lower prices and introduced a wider variety of body styles, including a two-door saloon in 1924.

In its final years, Eric Campbell expanded its offerings to include additional engine options, such as a 1074cc and a 1496cc Anzani side-valve four-cylinder engine. However, the company could not recover from its financial troubles, and a receiver was appointed in January 1926. Overall production estimates for Eric Campbell vehicles reached around 500 units, although this figure may be optimistic. The brand ultimately ceased operations, leaving behind a brief but notable legacy in the early British automotive landscape.