Duryea Motorcar, 1901 Motorcar Pictures, News, Reviews, and Info | Conceptcarz.com - Pictures, Wallpaper, Pricing, Information, History

1901 Duryea Motorcar pictures and wallpaper

Only five years after Charles Duryea and his brother Frank built the world's first commercially manufactured automobiles, Charles set up production in Reading, PA. This early Duryea has many advanced features, including a three-cylinder water-cooled engine and a centrally mounted tiller control. It performs three functions - steering, by moving the tiller left and right; speed, by rotating the handle grip at the top, and gear selection, by raising or lowering the same handle. Other 'modern' features of its day were the pneumatic tires (Duryea was the first to use these on cars) and the inclined king pin, which he patented in 1900. The principle of the inclined king pin (the axle on which the front wheel is steered) is still used in modern car steering systems. Duryea's development of putting it on an angle allowed the wheels to track straight ahead, rather than being deflected left or right by every irregularity in the road.

Duryea's production methods introduced a new idea. His vehicles were built in Reading from parts that were manufactured by others located elsewhere, a method that we now refer to as 'out-souring.' Ford took the idea, added the moving assembly line, and in so doing, changed the world.

This 1901 Duryea motor car was once owned by Bill Pollock. Mr. Pollock donated the car to the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles.

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.

In 1927, production of the Stevens-Duryea automobiles ceased.

At the age of 97, Frank Duryea passed away in 1967.

With claims of being the first automobile produced in the United States and winning the first automobile race ever transpiring in the United States, the Stevens-Duryea's place in history is forever certain. The company was innovative and its history progressive. It focused its resources on building reliable, beautiful, and economical automobiles. Today, their legacy can be seen at many car shows, Concourse's, and museums.