James and Browne
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James & Browne were automobile manufacturers, based in Hammersmith, London between 1898 and 1910.
The James & Browne factory was located at the Chiswick end of King's Street in West London, and there was a car showroom on Oxford Street.
The early cars had an unusual engine layout with the flywheel between the cylinders. The engines were mid mounted in the chassis and the cylinders were horizontal. Drive was to the rear wheels via a 4 speed gearbox and chain. The gearbox is in 2 parts, that are linked by a connecting rod. The left containing 2nd and 4th gear, and the right 1st, 3rd and reverse.
The 2 cyclinder engine is rated at 9 HP, and is just over 2.5 litres in size. A total loss oil system is used on the car, lubricating 6 main oilways. James & Browne also launched a 4 cylinder version (16 HP), of a similar design to the horizontal 2 cylinder engine.
In 1906 a vertical engined car was introduced known as the Vertex and available as either a 20hp four or 30/40hp six cylinder.
Only two of their cars are known to have survived. One was built in 1902 and the other in 1904. The 1902 model has belonged to the students of the City & Guilds College Union (Engineering Faculty of Imperial College) since 1934.
[edit] External link
- Both cars can be seen in this picture: http://www.cgcu.net/motor/images/bo100/bothcars.jpg (used with permission of City & Guilds College Union)
