The Impeccably Refined 1917 Locomobile

1917 Locomobile M-7 from the collection of the author

On the first page of the Locomobile catalog for 1916 is the following statement: “The Locomobile policy is to build not more than four cars a day in order to attain the highest excellence in every essential and in every detail… The Locomobile is designed for those who are fully able to enjoy the best and who are never satisfied with anything less.”

The Locomobile Company of Bridgeport, CT had seen fit to hire Andrew Riker in 1902. It was Riker who designed the company’s first gas-powered car, the infamous racer that would win the Vanderbilt Cup in 1908, and all succeeding vehicles through 1917. Riker was an engineer of the highest order and co-founder of the Society of Automotive Engineers. His drive for perfection created Locomobile’s reputation as one of the finest built automobiles in the United States.

The Automobile Topics of May 6, 1916 lavishes a two-page spread on the new 1917 Locomobiles. Titled “Locomobile Redoubles Refinement”, the article goes into the many detailed refinements for the model year but also notes that there are no radical changes. Among the refines are listed:

· The bodies on all models (M-7 & R-7) are lowered 3 inches; the cars look longer but are really an inch shorter in the wheelbase.

· The front springs have been made longer and flatter for easier riding.

· Reciprocating parts have been made lighter and they, with the crankshaft and flywheel, have been more carefully balanced.

· An entirely new carburetor, of the two-stage type, is economical and provides an extra jet for extra hard pulling.

· Time-tried Locomobile characteristic features have been retained, such as manganese bronze crankcase and gearbox, pair-cast cylinders, T-head motor, condensed Babbitt bearing linings, extremely deep upholstery, steel-center rear axle, etc.

On the eve of WWI, the Locomobile Company of America was at the height of its success when it’s astute leader, Samuel Davis, died of a stroke in 1915. A change in leadership along with the changes in production due to the war effort, left the company short of cash in 1919 and forced it to into a bankruptcy sale. Riker would move on as well and the company would eventually end up as part of Durant Motors, succumbing to financial pressures and going out of business for good in 1929. However, one could argue that the heart of the Locomobile company died when Riker left and the vehicles they produced were never quite the same.

1911 Pierce-Arrow

This 1911 Pierce-Arrow Model SS (48 hp) Touring wears a 1915 New York Dealers license plate. The founder, George N. Pierce, had passed away in 1909 but the company was doing well in the hands of then president, George K. Birge. This big six-cylinder touring would have retailed for $5,000, the equivalent of roughly $125,000 in today’s market.

1911 Pierce-Arrow Model 48 Touring from the collection of the author

The pierce-Arrow was one of the finest brands available in America and was the choice of many society folks and wealthy business people. As an example, when the Indianapolis Dealers Association held their Mardi Gras Parade in 1911, a Pierce-Arrow was chosen for dignitaries to ride in.

The 1911 New York Automobile show was featuring the advancements made in body building (coachbuilding). Pierce-Arrow was an early proponent of design and had opened their art and color department three years prior. According to Automobile Topics of January 14, 1911, Pierce-Arrow displayed: “a five-passenger limousine finished in blue with white stripes and grey wheels and upholstered in purple broadcloth; a fore-door seven-passenger touring car finished in grey with green stripes and wheels, having silver trimmings and upholstered in green leather; and a fore-door four-passenger close coupled in fawn color with brown wheels and leather.”

However, the real show stopper was their “George Washington Coach”, a five-passenger touring landaulet mounted on the six-cylinder, 66 hp chassis. Fitted for long-distance touring it featured a folding wash basin, a luncheon locker, and toilet. The car was painted green with an autumn brown stripe and proudly displayed hand-painted panels on each door by Ernest Fosbery with Mt Vernon on one side and the city of Washington DC on the other.

1911 was also the year that Pierce-Arrow entered the truck business competing with the likes of Packard.

Piece-Arrows were manufactured in Buffalo, New York, however, they had a robust dealer network through the state and beyond. I wish I knew which dealer this plate represents, regardless, it’s clear from the photo that this particular Pierce-Arrow saw much use over its short four-year life span.