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1903 Northern Runabout

In 1902 Charles B. King and Jonathan Maxwell created the Northern Manufacturing Company. Though the automobile industry was in its infancy, both of these individuals had already compiled a resume of automotive experience. Both had worked for R. E. Olds and King is considered the first person to have ever driven on the streets of Detroit with an automobile. He was the chief designer at Oldsmobile but left the company after the 1901 fire at the plant.

Maxwell had produced a single-cylinder five horsepower engine which was used to power the new Northern automobiles. The design was similar to that of the Oldsmobile and with the relatively advanced engine, the vehicle gained a reputation as 'Silent Northern.'

In 1903 the company produced 300 examples of the runabout. In 1904 the company expanded its offerings with the introduction of a twin-cylinder Touring model. This was also the same year that Maxwell left the company, joined forces with Benjamin Briscoe, and set off to build their own version of the automobile.

Unique features of the Northern automobile were shaft drive, left-hand steering, and air-operated brakes. By 1908, all operating controls could be found on the steering column of the limousine model.

In 1906, the company changed its name to Northern Motor Car Company. The following year, another plant was opened in Port Huron focusing on two-cylinder cars. The Detroit plant produced the four-cylinder cars.

In 1908, the company merged with the Wayne Automobile Company, and soon thereafter, E-M-F took over the plants and equipment of both Northern and Wayne.


By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2014
1903 Northern Runabout 1903 Northern Runabout 1903 Northern Runabout Sold for $46,200 at 2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey by RM Auctions.
Sold for $40,000 at 2016 RM Sotheby's : Hershey.
This 1903 Northern Runabout is an AACA National First winner, awarded to it in the 1950s. It wears an older restoration though recently has been re-painted to its period-correct dark green body and red chassis and striping.

In 2008 this car was brought to the 2nd Annual Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions, where it was estimated to sell for $60,000 - $70,000. It was offered without reserve. A high bid of $46,200, including the buyer's premium, was enough to secure new ownership. The lot was sold.

Related Reading : Northern Single-Cylinder Runabout History

Charles Bradley King and Jonathan D. Maxwell created the Northern automobile. Maxwell would later become a well-known name as a line of automobiles would later bear its name. King would not experience that same level of fame, though he is remembered for being the first person to drive an internal combustion car on the streets of Detroit.King was the engineer he had an engineering degree from....
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1903 Northern Runabout Vehicle Profiles

1903 Northern Runabout vehicle information
Runabout

Chassis #: 1512

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1903 Runabout
$800-$3,500
1903 Northern Runabout Base Price : $800

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Single-Cylinder Runabout

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
68.00 in.
1 cyl., 6.50hp
$800 - $800
67.00 in.
1 cyl., 106.00 CID., 6.50hp
$750 - $750

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