Argo [2] / Briscoe Freres (United States) - AllCarIndex

The Argo Motor Company was established in Jackson, Michigan, during the early 20th century, specifically between 1914 and 1918. The company was founded by Benjamin Briscoe, who had previously developed the AJAX cyclecar in France. The Argo was a cyclecar that featured a 12-horsepower four-cylinder engine, similar to its predecessor, but distinguished itself with a conventional sliding gearbox instead of the friction transmission used in the AJAX.

Initially, Briscoe intended to manufacture the Argo in New York City; however, he opted to utilize the facilities of the recently defunct Standard Electric Car Company in Jackson. As the cyclecar market began to decline in 1916, Briscoe pivoted to producing a larger vehicle known as the WEGO, which was equipped with a 22-horsepower engine and offered in both roadster and touring configurations.

In 1918, Briscoe sold the company to Mansell Hackett, who continued to produce vehicles based on Briscoe's designs, rebranding them as Argos. Although Hackett began to develop his own line of cars under the Hackett name, he continued to assemble the Briscoe-designed models until the end of production in 1918. Meanwhile, Benjamin Briscoe continued to manufacture cars under his own name until 1921.