This invalid carriage was produced by Stanley Engineering of Egham, Surrey, which by the early 1920s had become the UK's foremost manufacturer of vehicles for the disabled, ex-servicemen amputees being its largest single group of customers. Stanley's products were marketed under the 'Argson' brand name, and both Villiers petrol engine and electrically powered versions were made. The end of the Second World War saw another upsurge in demand for invalid carriages, and Stanley was able to secure valuable contracts with the new Ministry of Health.

This Villiers-engined Argson was discovered in poor condition and restored between 1983 and 1992, with the flywheel magneto rewound in 1996 (bill on file). It has hand controls only (a non-original foot brake has been removed) and can be propelled either by the engine or the two hand levers. Steering is by means of the spade-shaped handle at the top of the right-side lever, which operates a link connected to the front fork. We are advised that a speed of 35mph is possible, albeit somewhat scarily. Last run in July 2017, the Argson always attracts attention when driven on the road or displayed at classic vehicle shows. A typed A4 page of history and useful information, including starting and operating instructions, is available and the machine also comes with copies of old logbooks, expired MoTs (1992-2006), a V5C document.