Speed was a common marketing theme in the 1930s and used when advertising many cameras. Houghtons introduced several speed models fitted with either fast lenses or focal-plane shutters. There was, though, no great advantage in fitting a focal-plane shutter to a large fixed-lens roll-film camera, its speed is an exposure characteristic and does not indicate stopping power.

The Auto-speed, introduced in the early 1930s, was well-made and engineered but quite a heavy camera. A number of lenses were available, early advertisements list an f4.5 Aldis Uno, f3.4 Aldis Butcher, f3.5 Dalmac, f4.5 Xpres and f4.5 Tessar. The Uno model cost £14.10.0 and the Tessar £25.0.0. Later an f4.5 Ensar was included and the prices were reduced. For a short time an interchangeable Dallmeyer telephoto was also available. A notable feature of the camera is that in setting the shutter the film is advanced with the increase in take-up spool diameter being allowed for. Two shutter releases were fitted, one on the body of the camera the other near the lens connecting to the body via a cable release.

The camera could not have sold in large numbers as it is not common today. The name is written both with and without a hyphen in advertisements. A version with a coupled rangefinder was produced.

The range-finder version of the Auto-Speed was only made in limited numbers and not greatly advertised. A simple linkage attached to the rear of the movable frame carrying the lens standard connects to the mirror in the range-finder.