Atlas (automobile)
Encyclopedia
There were numerous cars, makes and models, named Atlas.
An Atlas car was built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, in 1906–1907; another came from Springfield
, Massachusetts
from 1907-1911 (and became the Atlas-Knight for 1912–1913); and an Atlas Motor Buggy was built in Indianapolis
, Indiana
in 1909.
No production of an actual vehicle is proven for the Atlas Automobile Company of Newark, New Jersey (mentioned as having been established in 1902), for the Atlas Motor Company of New York City, New York (organized in 1906 with $1,200 stock capital), and the Atlas Taxi Company of Brooklyn, New York (organized in 1911 with $10,000 stock capital).
or runabout
. The firm was out of business by the next year.
. The Atlas of Springfield was thus based on the Sunset, even using the same two-stroke engine. This same 2-cylinder 22 hp engine was used in the Atlas delivery vans and taxicab, starting in 1908. Harry Knox refined the engine and developed a 3-cylinder 34 hp version of it. Later, a 60 hp 4-cylinder version was offered. The firm entered an Atlas in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup
, being the first two-stroke car to enter a major long-distance road race. This fact was promoted in subsequent promotional materials. Not long after, the two-stroke engine fell out of favor in the marketplace, and Knox added a Knight sleeve-valved engine
in 1912. These cars were called Atlas-Knights, and were bigger, five- or seven-passenger touring cars that cost approximately $3500. The company was bankrupt by early 1913, supposedly due to problems acquiring engines. Harry Knox then moved to Indianapolis to assist the Lyons brothers in producing the Lyons-Knight
.
minicars.
An Atlas car was built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, in 1906–1907; another came from Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
from 1907-1911 (and became the Atlas-Knight for 1912–1913); and an Atlas Motor Buggy was built in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
in 1909.
No production of an actual vehicle is proven for the Atlas Automobile Company of Newark, New Jersey (mentioned as having been established in 1902), for the Atlas Motor Company of New York City, New York (organized in 1906 with $1,200 stock capital), and the Atlas Taxi Company of Brooklyn, New York (organized in 1911 with $10,000 stock capital).
Pittsburgh car
The Atlas Automobile Company was established on College Avenue in the East End of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in late 1906 in a "fireproof garage." It was a four cylinder car rated at 25/30 hp with shaft drive and a 3-speed sliding gear transmission. It was offered as a touring carTouring car
A touring car, or tourer, is an open car seating five or more. Touring cars may have two or four doors. Often, the belt line is lowered in the front doors to give the car a more sportive character. They were often fitted with a folding roof and side curtains. Engines on early models were either in...
or runabout
Runabout (car)
Runabouts were a popular car body style at the beginning of the 20th Century. They were small, inexpensive, open cars. Most runabouts had just a single row of seats, providing seating for two passengers. Many also had a tonneau at the rear to provide optional seating for four or five...
. The firm was out of business by the next year.
Springfield car
After Harry Knox left the company that had been building Knox cars in Springfield, he established the Knox Motor Truck Company in 1905 to produce Atlas commercial vehicles. His former partners at his previous firm took him to court over the name. After he was forbidden from using the Knox name, he formed the Atlas Motor Car Company in late 1907.History
Harry Knox had proposed to the people producing the Sunset in California that he produce the car under license. At first they refused, but changed their mind after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake1906 San Francisco earthquake
The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 was a major earthquake that struck San Francisco, California, and the coast of Northern California at 5:12 a.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 1906. The most widely accepted estimate for the magnitude of the earthquake is a moment magnitude of 7.9; however, other...
. The Atlas of Springfield was thus based on the Sunset, even using the same two-stroke engine. This same 2-cylinder 22 hp engine was used in the Atlas delivery vans and taxicab, starting in 1908. Harry Knox refined the engine and developed a 3-cylinder 34 hp version of it. Later, a 60 hp 4-cylinder version was offered. The firm entered an Atlas in the 1909 Vanderbilt Cup
Vanderbilt Cup
The Vanderbilt Cup was the first major trophy in American auto racing.-History:An international event, it was founded by William Kissam Vanderbilt II in 1904 and first held at a course set out in Nassau County on Long Island, New York. The announcement that the race was to be held caused...
, being the first two-stroke car to enter a major long-distance road race. This fact was promoted in subsequent promotional materials. Not long after, the two-stroke engine fell out of favor in the marketplace, and Knox added a Knight sleeve-valved engine
Knight Engine
The Knight Engine was an internal combustion engine, designed by American Charles Yale Knight , that used sleeve valves instead of the more common poppet valve construction.- History :...
in 1912. These cars were called Atlas-Knights, and were bigger, five- or seven-passenger touring cars that cost approximately $3500. The company was bankrupt by early 1913, supposedly due to problems acquiring engines. Harry Knox then moved to Indianapolis to assist the Lyons brothers in producing the Lyons-Knight
Lyons-Knight
The Lyons-Knight was an American automobile manufactured from 1913 until 1915. A product of Indianapolis, the cars were produced by the Lyons-Atlas Company and featured Knight sleeve valve engines and worm-drive rear axles; they were designed by Harry A. Knox....
.
Atlas Motor Buggy
This was a prototype highwheeler produced by the Atlas Motor Buggy firm of Indianapolis in 1909. After the sole prototype was built, the firm returned to its two-stroke gasoline and diesel stationary engine production. Later, the Atlas factory was used for the Lyons-Knight, after the Lyons brothers bought the company.Paris (France) car
Produced by the Société Industrielle de Livry, this Atlas was launched at the 1949 Paris Auto Show. The show car was a minicar that seated two and had a 125 cc AMC engine. Production cars featured a 175 cc 8.5 hp unit and a top speed of 43 mph. The car was also referred to as the Coccinelle (Ladybird). The Sofravel French minicar of the same era was also referred to as the Atlas, which must have been confusing to consumers. The Livry parent company also produced the Kover and Le PiafLe Piaf
The Le Piaf was a French automobile manufactured from 1951 to 1952. Only a few cars, powered by a 175 cc two-stroke engine, were built at the factory in Livry-Gargan....
minicars.
Greece
- Atlas (light trucks)Atlas (light trucks)Atlas was a Greek company based in Rentis that produced three-wheel trucks and other metal structures. In business between 1967 and 1972, it used Volkswagen engines, as well as German Ford axles. Cabs were made of glass-fiber reinforced composite...
- Atlas Car and Manufacturing CompanyAtlas Car and Manufacturing CompanyThe Atlas Car and Manufacturing Company was a manufacturer of small railroad locomotives. The company was based in Cleveland, OH, building equipment from 1896 through the 1960s....
, a manufacturer of small railroad locomotives