Albany (automobile)
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The Albany was an English automobile, manufactured by the Albany Motor Carriage Company in Christchurch, Dorset from 1971 - 1997.<ref name=Beaulieu/>
History
The company was run by two brothers, Bryan and David Shepherd.
The car was designed as a veteran car, in the Edwardian style, but is not a replica of any particular marque although it bears some resemblance to a 1908 Buick. Early models used the BMC A-series engine and suspension from the Morris Minor in a specially built tubular steel chassis. The engine was governed to allow a maximum speed of Template:Convert.<ref name=Beaulieu/> The car was hand built and quite expensive at £1987 before a long list of extras was added.<ref name=Specialist/> Purchasers requiring a hood or a screen found themselves invited to pay an extra £70 or £50 for these luxuries.<ref name=Motor197202/>
From 1974 a 1300 cc Standard SC engine from the Triumph Spitfire was used and a longer wheelbase five-seat option came in 1976.
Albany also made a replica 1910 AEC open air bus, based on a Ford D Series lorry chassis, that now provides very brief quasi-vintage bus rides at the Beaulieu motor museum in Hampshire. It appeared in the 1970s remake of the film 'The 39 Steps' starring Robert Powell.
In 1973 about a car every two weeks was being produced <ref name=Specialist/> and exports to the United States started. However, after about 12 cars were shipped the importing company failed. The price in 1974, now with a 1500cc Triumph engine had risen to £2487. By 1977 110 cars had been built.<ref name=Specialist/>
As of 1992, the open-top Albany featuring a 1500 cc SC engine was being built for export only.
The company closed in 1997.