Argyll motorcar.
Jeremy sent this old family photograph in, wondering what make and model of car was shown here, and also wondering what age it might be. A root through some old books brought up the Argyll marque as being the most likely contender, possibly a 5hp model, and a day or so later Jeremy got back in touch confirming this theory: "I had a member of the family call last evening to say that her Mother was in the photo of the car. She thinks the picture was taken around 1906, and the car was a Single Cylinder Argyll". So all that remains to know is, when exactly was this veteran car, registration BP 983, built? and what model and type of coachwork is shown here?
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Production of the Scottish Argyll motorcar, by the newly-formed Hozier Engineering Co Ltd, commenced in 1900, the first cars being propelled by a De Dion engine. By 1903 a range of cars were being assembled, sales spurred on by some notable Argyll successes in varous competitive meetings. In 1905, shortly before the above photograph was taken, the company was liquidated, only to rise again in the form of a new company named Argyll Motors Ltd. Work also began on a stunning new factory building at Alexandria which opened the following year.
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Despite being a successful company in the early days, things gradually unravelled for the Scottish motor-car manufacturer, not helped by it's founder dying at a young age in 1908. Changes of ownership and strategy did little to help the company's fortunes, with the final incarnation of the company folding for good in 1930.
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A 1903 8hp Argyll.
Val found the following photograph in a family collection while researching her roots, and sent it over in the hope that the car - registered C-199 - might be identifiable. I put the word out and a couple of experts well versed in matters relating to early motor-cars, identified it as an Argyll, of the single-cylinder 8hp variety. The photo is shown here with Val's permission (thanks!). The "C" registration series came into being in late 1903, thus dating the car. I'm told a very similar Argyl survives on display in the Glasgow Transport Museum. Regarding this example, and the people shown with it, Val adds:
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"Attached is a photo of my Grandfather who was a chauffeur all his working life. The photo was taken at Thorpe Audlin in Yorkshire, and the man standing is his father. It must be before 1908 as by that time my Grandfather is living on the estate of Kinmount near Annan in Dumfriesshire . Kinmount belonged to the Brook family who were owners of a cotton thread mill in Huddersfield, so I am guessing that the car would belong to the Brook family before they made Kinmount their permanent home."
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"My Grandfather's name was Albert Charles Huntington, known as Charlie, and he was chauffeur to the Brook family from at least 1908 until his death in 1963. The only reason I say 1908 is because that is the year he marries my Grandmother in Badsworth, Yorkshire and while her address is Badsworth his is given as Kinmount, Annan, Dumfriesshire. After their wedding, they returned to Kinmount where they lived for the rest of their lives.
I remember well the garage and workshop, and being warned on pain of death not to touch the gleaming paintwork on the three cars housed there!
They had three children, two sons who also became chauffeurs for the family, and a daughter who was my Mother."
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Return to Old Vehicle Photos Page 8.
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