Speed was a common marketing theme in the 1930s and was used when advertising several 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.