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| In 1895, a second Duryea (built in 1894),<ref>Georgano, G. N. ''Cars: Early and Vintage, 1886-1930''. (London: Grange-Universal, 1985)</ref> driven by Frank, won the ] in ] on a snowy ] day. He travelled 54 miles (87 km) at an average 7.5 mph (12 km/h), marking the first U.S. auto race in which any entrants finished. That same year, the brothers began commercial production, with thirteen cars sold by the end of 1896.<ref>Georgano.</ref> | In 1895, a second Duryea (built in 1894),<ref>Georgano, G. N. ''Cars: Early and Vintage, 1886-1930''. (London: Grange-Universal, 1985)</ref> driven by Frank, won the ] in ] on a snowy ] day. He travelled 54 miles (87 km) at an average 7.5 mph (12 km/h), marking the first U.S. auto race in which any entrants finished. That same year, the brothers began commercial production, with thirteen cars sold by the end of 1896.<ref>Georgano.</ref> | ||
| The brothers went their separate ways by the end of the century. Frank helped produce the ] (at gun maker ]), while Charles produced Duryea vehicles as late as 1917. Based in ], it was not uncommon for residents to see him motoring a brand new automobile from City Park out to Mount Penn; Managing the switchback road as a final test or durability and refinement. | The brothers went their separate ways by the end of the century. Frank helped produce the ] (at gun maker ]), while Charles produced Duryea vehicles as late as 1917. Based in ], it was not uncommon for residents to see him motoring a brand new automobile from City Park out to Mount Penn; Managing the switchback road as a final test or durability and refinement. The GEM was the last automobile built by Charles Duryea. | ||
| Although Charles did discuss with his brother the building of the first commercially successful American automobile, Frank was the actual builder. He did correspond with his brother Charles regarding what did and did not work in the design. Charles left Springfield in 1892 before construction began. This was documented in transcripts during the ] trial. | Although Charles did discuss with his brother the building of the first commercially successful American automobile, Frank was the actual builder. He did correspond with his brother Charles regarding what did and did not work in the design. Charles left Springfield in 1892 before construction began. This was documented in transcripts during the ] trial. | ||
| Today, Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles in ] hosts an annual Duryea Day Antique and Classic Car Show, which features an extensive collection of automobiles manufactured in southeastern Pennsylvania in the early 20th century. Also, the ] sponsors a biannual "Duryea Hillclimb" race which traces Charles' original test route. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 05:26, 22 February 2012
The Duryea Motor Wagon Company, established in 1895, was one of the first American firms to build gasoline automobiles.
Founded by Charles Duryea and his brother Frank, they built a one-cylinder "Ladies Phaeton", first demonstrated on September 21, 1893 in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Taylor Street in Metro Center. It is considered the first successful gas-engine vehicle built in the U.S.
In 1895, a second Duryea (built in 1894), driven by Frank, won the Chicago Times Herald race in Chicago on a snowy Thanksgiving day. He travelled 54 miles (87 km) at an average 7.5 mph (12 km/h), marking the first U.S. auto race in which any entrants finished. That same year, the brothers began commercial production, with thirteen cars sold by the end of 1896.
The brothers went their separate ways by the end of the century. Frank helped produce the Stevens-Duryea (at gun maker Stevens), while Charles produced Duryea vehicles as late as 1917. Based in Reading, Pennsylvania, it was not uncommon for residents to see him motoring a brand new automobile from City Park out to Mount Penn; Managing the switchback road as a final test or durability and refinement. The GEM was the last automobile built by Charles Duryea.
Although Charles did discuss with his brother the building of the first commercially successful American automobile, Frank was the actual builder. He did correspond with his brother Charles regarding what did and did not work in the design. Charles left Springfield in 1892 before construction began. This was documented in transcripts during the Selden Patent trial.
Today, Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles in Boyertown, Pennsylvania hosts an annual Duryea Day Antique and Classic Car Show, which features an extensive collection of automobiles manufactured in southeastern Pennsylvania in the early 20th century. Also, the SCCA sponsors a biannual "Duryea Hillclimb" race which traces Charles' original test route.
See also
- Buckeye gasoline buggy
- Duryea Motor Wagon
- Duryea Power
- List of defunct United States automobile manufacturers
Notes
- Georgano, G. N. Cars: Early and Vintage, 1886-1930. (London: Grange-Universal, 1985)
- Georgano.
External links
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