The Leyland Eight was designed by the chief engineer of Leyland Motors, Parry Thomas and his assistant Reid Railton with the aim of being the finest car available on the British market, even eclipsing the Rolls-Royce 40/50. It was the first British car with a straight-eight engine (7.3 litre capacity) and was unveiled at the 1920 International Motor Exhibition at Olympia, London.

A chassis sold for £2,500, with the purchaser getting the bodywork done elsewhere. There were few takers. The price was slashed by by £625, but to no avail. Approximately 20 were built.