Owen (automobile)
The Owen was a brass era luxury automobile built in Detroit, Michigan by the Owen Motor Car Company from 1910 to 1912.[1]
| Type | Automobile manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1910 |
| Defunct | 1912 |
| Fate | Sold |
| Successor | REO Motor Car Company |
| Headquarters | Detroit, Michigan, |
Key people | Ralph R. Owen, Angus Smith, Frank E. Dodson |
| Products | Automobiles |
History
The Owen designed by Ralph Owen was a luxury automobile with a 50-hp, 425 cubic inches (6.96 L) four-cylinder engine. It had progressive features such as left-hand steering, a central gear change, and was placed on a lowered chassis with 42-inch tires, which gave it a similar appearance to the Oldsmobile Limited.[2] The touring car style sold for $3,200 (equivalent to $100,503 in 2022) while the limousine cost $4,800, equivalent to $150,754 in 2022.[1]
Ralph Owen contracted with his brothers Raymond M. Owen to market the car through the R. M. Owen & Company. The company were dealers for the Reo Motor Car, and Reo decided to purchase the Owen Motor Car Company. Reo finished constructing 35 Owen automobiles and then closed the company. The Owen factory was sold to the Krit Motor Car Company.[1]
In 1912, Ralph Owen began work on a new car that would become the Owen Magnetic.[1][2]
Advertisements
1910 Owen Motor Car Advertisement in the Horseless Age Magazine
1910 Owen Motor Car advertisement in the Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal
1911 Owen Motor Car advertisement in McClure's Magazine
References
- Kimes, Beverly Rae; Clark Jr., Henry Austin (1996). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 (3rd ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87341-428-9.
- Georgano, Nick (2001). The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile (3 vol. ed.). Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.