Vernon-Derby was a French automobile manufacturer founded in 1921 and ceased operations in 1936. The company was originally established in Courbevoie, France, by Bertrand Montet, an engineer from Arts et Métiers. The company initially focused on building cyclecars and small vehicles powered by American vee-twin motorcycle engines, which were soon replaced by Chapuis-Dornier engines, making the cars similar to the Citroën Type C.
The brand became known as Vernon-Derby in the UK due to its association with Vernon Balls, a British agent who marketed and raced the cars in England. This rebranding helped promote the cars’ sporting capabilities. Vernon-Derby cars were noted for their lightweight and efficient designs, often participating in races and achieving notable successes, such as at the Brooklands circuit.
The Vernon-Derby lineup included various models over the years, ranging from small 8 HP sports cars to more powerful six-cylinder vehicles. Despite the quality and competitive pricing, the brand struggled to maintain high sales figures, peaking at around 200 cars per year in the mid-1920s and declining thereafter due to economic challenges and the death of Montet in 1928.