Signet (automobile)

The Signet cyclecar was the name used by Fenton Engineering Company of Fenton, Michigan from 1913 to 1914. In 1914 the name was changed to Fenton and was manufactured by the Fenton Cyclecar Company. In May 1914, The Fenton became the Koppin and was produced by the Koppin Motor Company until September 1914.[1]

See also: Koppin
Fenton Cyclecar Company
FormerlyFenton Manufacturing Company
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1913 (1913)
FounderGeorge Jenks
Defunct1914
Fatereorganized
SuccessorKoppin Motor Company
HeadquartersFenton, Michigan,
United States
Key people
Oscar J. Howick, George Jenks, H. S. Koppin
ProductsCyclecars
Production output
unknown (1913-1914)

History

Oscar J, Howick, formerly of Lozier and Packard, developed the Signet cyclecar with a Spacke DeLuxe twin-cylinder air-cooled engine, belt drive and friction transmission. The body styling with a deep vee front, full doors and fenders, and leather upholstery was more elegant than the average cyclecar. The wheelbase was 96 inches and the tread 36-inches. Two passengers sat side-by-side in the cyclecar with a package shelf behind them.[2][3] Introduced as the Fenton in November 1913, the price was $375, equivalent to $11,104 in 2022.[1][4]

George Jenks, a former automobile salesman, was the mover behind the Fenton and organized the Fenton Cyclecar Company to succeed Fenton Engineering Company to market the car. On March 23, 1914, tragedy struck with the sudden death of George Jenks. The Fenton Cyclecar Company was reorganized within two months as the Koppin Motor Company by H.S. Koppin, who owned the former A. J. Phillips plant in Fenton.[1][5] The Fenton became the Koppin until September 1914, when the plant was destroyed by fire.[6]

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References
  1. 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.
  2. Automotive Industries. Chilton Company, Incorporated. 1914.
  3. Motor Age. 1913.
  4. Automobile Journal. 1913.
  5. Carette: America's First Carette and Cyclecar. 1913.
  6. The Indicator: Published Semi-monthly. 1915.
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