Created by Geoffrey Taylor in 1931, the Alta was an English automobile manufactured until 1954. Initially, Taylor's cars were powered by an 1100cc engine, featuring an aluminum block, wet liners and shaft-driven twin overhead camshafts, which he designed himself. This was mounted on a low-slung chassis frame. In 1935 1496cc and 1961cc engines became available. From these sports cars evolved racers; in 1937 the company introduced an all independent suspension 1½-liter supercharged car. After the war Taylor built a car for the current Formula 1; later in his career he manufactured engines for HWM and Connaught racing cars.