The Ryknield Engine Company was established in 1902 with purpose built factory and offices on Shobnall Road with prominent date-stone on the face of the building. The original intention was simply to build both steam and petrol engines for road vehicles.

The Shobnall Road factory during a vehicle exhibition c1905

Ernest E. Baguley, who had been an apprentice in the rail industry, saw the potential of the motor car and in 1901 he designed a steam-engine for a motor car whilst employed as an engineer with W.G. Bagnall Ltd. They did not share his enthusiasm so he left to join the newly formed Ryknield Engine Company as manager in November 1902.

The first ever Ryknield steam powered car. 1902

However, the company quickly realised that for road vehicles, petrol internal combustion engines was the future and by the end of 1903, they were producing cars like this fine example with the all essential horn mounted on the steering wheel, despite being under 9 horsepower.

Rynield petrol car 1903

Things developed at breakneck speed. No waiting years for the new model, pretty much every car was a further development of the last. There was now room for more than one passenger and the horn was mounted in a much more sensible place.

Rykield car 1904

A year later, the engine power had increased and the driver back support had improved after complaints of discomfort. This example was particularly fetching after the owner had requested sporty (well, different coloured) wheels.

Rynield car 1905

Relatively popular Ryknield light van. This is one of the first to be build and still awaiting its custom livery for its proud business owner.

Ryknield light van

Ryknield Motor Company built the first passenger carrying bus to run in Burton in November 1907. Interestingly, it did not belong to Burton Corporation. It was built and operated by the company itself as an experiment to see if transport available to the fare paying general public could prove to be financially successful.

Ryknield petrol bus. 1907

Ryknield did have a go at building larger commercial vehicles like this one for a Manchester company but without great success because this sector was by now covered by far superior offerings despite this producing a whopping 45 horsepower.

Ryknield commercial vehicle was not a great success. c1910

Ryknield motor company ran into financial difficulties and was taken over by the larger Baguley company whose main operation until then had been steam locomotives but they had an interest in producing motor cars and road vehicles. By the time the business had ceased, it had progressed to making cars such as this beauty made for Messrs. Bass & Co.

Ryknield car built for Mssrs. Bass & Co. 1911