Lost Marques: Great but Not Forgotten British Car Makers

In this publication we tell the stories of all six great British car marques, in the hope that we can help to stop them becoming lost entirely. It is notable that none of these marques was absorbed by another car maker, so in this respect the tales told here are unlike many others we have covered in the Auto Review series. In fact, most of these car marques were only 'lost' when the owners voluntarily gave up car-making in order to pursue other, more profitable, activities. After abandoning car production, Napier concentrated on aero engines and Lea-Francis turned to general engineering. Crossley was taken over by AEC, and Star by Guy, both commercial vehicle manufacturers. Straker-Squire, whose designs formed the core of Bristol aero engines, and who were already in receivership, closed after the founder died in an accident.