Elmore (automobile)
Encyclopedia
Elmore Manufacturing Company was a manufacturer of veteran and brass era automobile
s, headquartered at 504 Amanda Street, Clyde, Ohio
, from 1893 until 1912. The company took its name from its original place of manufacture, the nearby village of Elmore
. Founded by James and Burton Becker, Elmore used a 2-stroke engine design, in straight-2 or single-cylinder versions. They later produced a straight-3
as well.
The smallest 1904 model was the Elmore Convertible Runabout
. Equipped with a tonneau
, it could seat four passengers and sold for just US$ 650, making it one of the least-expensive vehicles on the market. The flat-mounted single-cylinder engine, situated at the center of the car, produced 6.5 hp (4.8 kW). A 2-speed transmission was fitted. The car weighed 1050 lb (476 kg).
The Elmore Runabout was next in line. It could seat two passengers and sold for US$ 800. The vertically mounted straight-2, also situated at the center of the car, produced 8 hp (6 kW). A 3-speed transmission was fitted. The angle iron-framed car weighed 1400 lb (635 kg).
The top model was the Elmore Tonneau
. It could seat four passengers and sold for US$ 1400. The flat-mounted straight-2 was situated at the front of the car, produced 12 hp (8.9 kW). A 3-speed transmission was fitted. The angle iron-framed car weighed 1500 lb (680 kg).
, founder of General Motors. He purchased the company the following year, with Elmore becoming one of General Motors' divisions. After Durant was forced out of General Motors in 1910, the Elmore marque was soon cut, along with several other underperforming brands, to help General Motors achieve financial stability.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s, headquartered at 504 Amanda Street, Clyde, Ohio
Clyde, Ohio
Clyde is a city in Sandusky County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,064 at the 2000 census. The National Arbor Day Foundation has designated Clyde as a Tree City USA....
, from 1893 until 1912. The company took its name from its original place of manufacture, the nearby village of Elmore
Elmore, Ohio
Elmore is a village in Ottawa and Sandusky counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 1,426 at the 2000 census.The Ottawa County portion of Elmore is part of the Toledo Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the Sandusky County portion is part of the Fremont Micropolitan Statistical...
. Founded by James and Burton Becker, Elmore used a 2-stroke engine design, in straight-2 or single-cylinder versions. They later produced a straight-3
Straight-3
A straight-three engine, also known as inline-three engine, or a triple, is a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine with three cylinders arranged in a straight line or plane, side by side....
as well.
History
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...
. Equipped with a tonneau
Tonneau
right|thumb|260px|1903 [[Ford Model A |Ford Model A]] rear-door TonneauTonneau cover , describes a hard or soft cover used to protect unoccupied passenger seats in a convertible, roadster, or for a pickup truck bed. Hard tonneau covers open by a hinging or folding mechanism while soft covers open...
, it could seat four passengers and sold for just US$ 650, making it one of the least-expensive vehicles on the market. The flat-mounted single-cylinder engine, situated at the center of the car, produced 6.5 hp (4.8 kW). A 2-speed transmission was fitted. The car weighed 1050 lb (476 kg).
The Elmore Runabout was next in line. It could seat two passengers and sold for US$ 800. The vertically mounted straight-2, also situated at the center of the car, produced 8 hp (6 kW). A 3-speed transmission was fitted. The angle iron-framed car weighed 1400 lb (635 kg).
The top model was the Elmore Tonneau
Tonneau
right|thumb|260px|1903 [[Ford Model A |Ford Model A]] rear-door TonneauTonneau cover , describes a hard or soft cover used to protect unoccupied passenger seats in a convertible, roadster, or for a pickup truck bed. Hard tonneau covers open by a hinging or folding mechanism while soft covers open...
. It could seat four passengers and sold for US$ 1400. The flat-mounted straight-2 was situated at the front of the car, produced 12 hp (8.9 kW). A 3-speed transmission was fitted. The angle iron-framed car weighed 1500 lb (680 kg).
General Motors
In 1908, Elmore's three-cylinder two-stroke caught the attention of William C. DurantWilliam C. Durant
William Crapo "Billy" Durant was a leading pioneer of the United States automobile industry, the founder of General Motors and Chevrolet who created the system of multi-brand holding companies with different lines of cars....
, founder of General Motors. He purchased the company the following year, with Elmore becoming one of General Motors' divisions. After Durant was forced out of General Motors in 1910, the Elmore marque was soon cut, along with several other underperforming brands, to help General Motors achieve financial stability.