Profitable car-making is a whole lot harder, and for proof you only need take a look at the failed British car companies we’re looking at here.

Some were born close to the dawn of the car, when bicycle-makers saw money in the new-fangled horseless carriage. But it wasn’t easy. Car-making at the start of the 20th century was like internet projects at the end of it - plenty tried, but only the fittest survived.

Here's a look at the best and most interesting of the ones who didn't make it: