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1904 Northern Touring news, pictures, and information | ||
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Charles Bradley King and Jonathan D. Maxwell were responsible for the creation of 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 Cornell and had moved to Detroit in 1891. Four-years after moving to Detroit, he formed the American Motor League to promote good roads. His first car was created in 1896 which he immediately drove on the streets much to the dismay of other travelers. The new contraption was loud - as was most other vehicles of the time - and disturbed the horse drawn carriages. Henry Ford's first vehicle was built three months after Kings.
King later switched to marine engines and then enlisted in the Navy during the Spanish-American War.
King and Maxwell worked at the Olds Motor Works in 1900. Two years later they were recruited by a group of businessmen and the Northern Manufacturing Company was formed. The 'Silent Northern' was soon introduced. Since both individuals had worked at Olds, it was not surprising that much of the design and mechanical components were similar to an Olds. It had long leaf springs that ran from the front to the rear and securing both axles. Power was from a single-cylinder horizontal water-cooled engine with integral transmission. The engine displaced two liters and provided about five horsepower. The cost to own was $800, making it more expensive than the Olds. The Olds would outsell the Northern.
In 1903, Maxwell was lured away be Benjamin Briscoe and the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company in Tarrytown, New York was formed. The Maxwell car was introduced in 1905.
King remained at Northern, continually improving the capabilities of the car. A twin-cylinder, shaft drive unit, followed by a four-cylinder engine in 1906 followed. By 1907, the single-cylinder cars were discontinued. King left Northern in 1908 but by then, the company was in precarious shape. It was soon taken over by the Wayne Automobile Company, which in turn was quickly acquired by E-M-F.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2008
King was the engineer; he had an engineering degree from Cornell and had moved to Detroit in 1891. Four-years after moving to Detroit, he formed the American Motor League to promote good roads. His first car was created in 1896 which he immediately drove on the streets much to the dismay of other travelers. The new contraption was loud - as was most other vehicles of the time - and disturbed the horse drawn carriages. Henry Ford's first vehicle was built three months after Kings.
King later switched to marine engines and then enlisted in the Navy during the Spanish-American War.
King and Maxwell worked at the Olds Motor Works in 1900. Two years later they were recruited by a group of businessmen and the Northern Manufacturing Company was formed. The 'Silent Northern' was soon introduced. Since both individuals had worked at Olds, it was not surprising that much of the design and mechanical components were similar to an Olds. It had long leaf springs that ran from the front to the rear and securing both axles. Power was from a single-cylinder horizontal water-cooled engine with integral transmission. The engine displaced two liters and provided about five horsepower. The cost to own was $800, making it more expensive than the Olds. The Olds would outsell the Northern.
In 1903, Maxwell was lured away be Benjamin Briscoe and the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company in Tarrytown, New York was formed. The Maxwell car was introduced in 1905.
King remained at Northern, continually improving the capabilities of the car. A twin-cylinder, shaft drive unit, followed by a four-cylinder engine in 1906 followed. By 1907, the single-cylinder cars were discontinued. King left Northern in 1908 but by then, the company was in precarious shape. It was soon taken over by the Wayne Automobile Company, which in turn was quickly acquired by E-M-F.
By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2008
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| From 1896 to 1986 - Nearly a Century of Automobile History to be Offered in Unique Aalholm Collection Sale | |
 | Collectors from around the world are excitedly requesting catalogues to see in detail some of the diverse and highly-prized lots that will go under the hammer during RM Auctions highly anticipated Aalholm 'without reserve' auction, 12 August in Southern Denmark. Representing nearly a century of automobile manufacturing supplemented by some fascinating lots, including a Wright Brothers Replica Plane, a 1890s Danish Royal Train Carriage and a rare, highly-prized toy train set, the single-day sa...[Read more...] |
 1904
Northern
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