Records of Argyll Motor Co, Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Reference code(s): GB 0248 UGD 103
Title: Records of Argyll Motor Co, Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland
Date(s): 1878-1970
Extent and medium of the unit of description: 0.5 metres
Physical characteristics and technical requirements: There are no physical characteristics that affect the use of this material.
Repository: Glasgow University Archive Services
Name of creator(s): Argylls Ltd (car manufacturers: 1908-1914: Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland)
Level of Description: fonds
Language: eng
Published by: Glasgow University Archive Services, 24 June 2002

Administrative/Biographical History

The Argyll car was designed by Alexander Govan (1869-1907) in Bridgeton, Glasgow, Scotland, in the 1890s . The Argyll Motor Co began in 1896 but its bid for a place in the British car market did not take place until 1906 when a factory was established at Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. In 1905 the directors formed Argyll Motors Ltd . Govan had started the firm with a capital of £500,000 and it was poised for production on a scale similar to that of the Henry Ford Motor Co, USA. In 1907, Govan died suddenly at the age of 38 and in 1908 there was a partial liquidation and refloatation of the company when it became known as Argylls Ltd . It was this company which developed Peter Burt's invention of the single-sleeve valve engine and Perrot's four wheel braking system. In a single day in 1913 at the Brooklands track in Surrey, England, an Argyll broke thirteen world records and twenty-eight Brooklands track records. Even with this achievement the company could not achieve commercial success. There were costly legal battles over Burt's patents and in 1914 the shareholders lost their confidence. No new backing was forthcoming and the company went into liquidation in 1914.

Source: GB 0248 UGD 103 Sydney Checkland, 'Vehicles', Slaven, A and Checkland, S (eds.), Dictionary of Scottish Business Biography 1860-1960 vol 1 (1986, Aberdeen)

Scope and Content

  • Production records 1878-1929
  • Photographs c.1900-c.1930
  • Administrative records 1911-1970
  • Financial records 1920-1926

System of Arrangement

The arrangement of this material reflects the original order in which it was received

Administrative Information

Archival History

Held by the family of Peter Burt

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Loan : Burt family : 1976.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 0248 procedures

Accruals

None expected

Access Conditions

Open

Copyright / Conditions governing reproduction

Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the University Archivist

Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use & condition of documents

Language of material

English

Existence and location of copies

No known copies

Further Information

Finding Aids

Digital file level list available in searchroom

Existence and location of originals

This material is original

Related Units of Description

No related material

Material in other repositories: no material associated by provenance

Publication note

No known publications using this material

Notes

Date(s) of Description

Compiled by Jenny Cooknell , Assistant Archivist, 2 July 1999

Revised by Jenny Cooknell , Assistant Archivist, 22 July 1999

Revised by David Powell, Hub Project Archivist, 26 April 2002