Campion Cycle Co. Ltd was established in 1913 in Nottingham, United Kingdom. The company initially focused on manufacturing motorcycles, a venture that began in 1901 and continued until 1925.

In the early 1910s, Campion expanded its product line to include a small number of cyclecars, with the Illis model being a notable example. The Illis was powered by an 8hp V-twin J.A.R engine and featured friction transmission along with a belt-driven final drive. Despite this foray into the cyclecar market, Campion remained primarily recognized for its motorcycle production during its operational years.