Stevens Duryea Model Y Touring, 1910 Model Y Touring Pictures, News, Reviews, and Info | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Wallpaper, Pricing, Information, History

Overview

Charles Duryea was a successful bicycle manufacturer living in the United States. In 1892 he commissioned his brother, J. Frank Dureya to design and build a motor vehicle. The result was successful, becoming the first motor car in the United States. In 1895 a version of the vehicle was entered in the first race held in the United States. The race was sponsored by the Chicago Times. The Duryea built motor vehicle captured first place.

In 1896 the series production began for the Duryea Company, located in Springfield Massachusetts. The president of the company was Frank Dureya, having terminated the business relationship with his brother a year prior. Production continued slowly but steady. Additional capital was raised to expand business development and production. In 1901 Duryea teamed with the Stevens Arms and Tool Company to help expand the evolving business. The union resulted in the production of Stevens-Duryea automobiles, the first vehicle being show in November of 1901 and on sale in March of 1902. The vehicles were powered by 2 cylinder engines capable of producing 5 horsepower. During the 1902 model year, 50 examples were produced. In 1903, the company increased the horsepower to 7 and dubbed the vehicle the Model L. This series continued until 1905 when it was replaced by the Model R. In its introductory year, 300 examples were sold. The Model R was produced from 1905 through 1908. It featured a 20 horsepower engine and sat atop a 90 inch wheelbase.

The reasons for the demise of the brother's relationship have been lost to time. There has been must speculation throughout the years with evidence that it may have been the direction of the company and the types of vehicles that were produced. The Charles Duryea's vehicles were simple and resembled the buggy design of the horseless carriages. Duryea felt that these vehicles were sufficient and needed little improvement. Frank Duryea's cars were the exact opposite. They were large, luxurious, expensive and powerful. Most were touring cars and limousines with a few roadsters making it into production. Production was low with about 100 examples being produced per year.

By 1906 the Stevens Duryea Company had become independent of the J. Stevens Company. Throughout the years it endured bankruptcies and reorganizations partly due to mis-management and escalating competition. In 1915 Frank Duryea left the company over a conflict dealing with the types of cars that were to be built. Stevens-Duryea went out of production in 1927.

This seven-passenger Model Y touring car had a factory price of $4000 and sat atop a 142 inch wheelbase. It is powered by a six-cylinder engine that produced 54 horsepower.

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