1910 Hupmobile Model 20

The first Hupmobile was created on November 1st, 1908, built by Robert Craig Hupp, a veteran of the auto industry. Hupp had worked for Regal, Olds, and Ford but had decided to design and build his own interpretation of the automobile. His first creation, the Model 20 introduced at the 1909 Detroit Auto Show, was a two-passenger runabout that sold for around $750. A four-cylinder engine provided just under 20 horsepower and a sliding gear transmission sent the power to the rear wheels.

With a price of $750, it undersold the Ford Model T. Production began in March at the newly organized Hupp Motor Car Company. Production was strong in its first year, with 1618 examples being created. The following year, additional body styles were added to the lineup, including a two-passenger torpedo, a four-passenger touring car, and a four-passenger coupe. The Model 20 was joined in 1912 by the larger Model 32. Production of the Model 20 would continue through 1913, by which time a long-wheelbase version was available.

Production continued until the 1940s when the company was forced to file for bankruptcy.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2006