1909 Alco 40 HP Runabout

The American Locomotive Company, founded in 1901, made massive steam trains that traversed America. On the back of its success in locomotives, the company began to build automobiles in 1905. They boasted that their vehicles were so well built that each one took 19 months to complete. Alco's outstanding quality came at an outstanding price: between $5,500 and $9,000 per car. In 1909 and 1910, ALCO won the Vanderbilt Cup, and it competed in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

This car is one of 12 surviving Alcos and one of still fewer propelled by a 487 cubic-inch four-cylinder engine with dual-chain drive to the rear wheels. It resided at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum from 1961 through 2011, when it was purchased by the current owner.

The automotive and locomotive industries have always seemed locked in a bitter struggle. However, one company, American Locomotive Company, or ALCO, would be one of the very few that would manage to bridge the gap.

Founded in 1901, ALCO would quickly become a popular builder of locomotives that would make their way up and down the eastern coast of the United States. The company would be birthed after a group of smaller railroad companies came together and formed the larger entity.

ALCO would be a rather big and influential company by 1905, just four years after it came into being. However, in spite of the growth of the company, those in management would realize there was a burgeoning market in the automotive industry. Instead of being an amalgamation of a number of smaller railroad companies to become one large company, ALCO could get the jump in the automotive industry and become one of the large companies straight-away.

Sparing no time, ALCO would begin producing automobiles in 1906. Initially, the company would build existing designs, particularly Berliets. A couple of years later, ALCO would begin producing cars of its own making. The company wouldn't just look into production road cars either. In fact, ALCO race cars would be rather popular and successful. In fact, in 1909 and 1910, an ALCO would win the Vanderbilt Cup.

But while the company's racing cars would be considered some of the best, ALCO automobiles for the road would have to be considered rather exceptional. The company would boast in its advertising that it took more than a year and a half just to build one car and chassis 3634018 would provide a good explanation as to why.

Being part of an influential, and therefore, wealthy company, ALCO automobiles would not skimp when it came to meticulously building and refining their road cars. Prices ranging from between $5,000 and $9,000 it would be little wonder why the automotive niche of ALCO would be defunct by 1913.

Chassis 3634018 is a 1909 ALCO 40HP Runabout. Its early history has been lost to time, but what is clear is that this particular is anything but commonplace. First of all, there are only to be around 12 ALCO automobiles known to exist anywhere in the world. However, this particular example features a dual-chain drive configuration. Such configurations were rare and that fact makes this ALCO all the more precious.

Though its first 50 years of history have been lost, it is known to have been purchased in March of 1961 by Mr. Anton Hulman from a Mr. Curtis Blake of Massachusetts. Hulman is famous for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He would purchase the car to become part of the display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. Before it would take its place within the museum collection the car would be carefully restored. From then on, the car would receive regular care and maintenance.

For the next 50 years of its existence, the 1909 ALCO would remain at the museum and would be maintained in good condition throughout that time. Then, in 2011, the ALCO would become available for sale. Upon coming to its new owner, the ALCO would undergo some service and light restoration. Part of this work would include having correct Solarclipse brass headlamps installed on the 1909 Runabout.

Finished in blue-green with touches of copper and brass, the 1909 is a picture of opulence and quality. Though more than a hundred years old, the ALCO's tan leather seats, and other striking features, just beg to go for a drive. Even still, more than a hundred years on, the 1909 ALCO looks ready for a run-about.

Sources:
'1909 ALCO Six Race Car News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13974/Alco-Six-Race-Car.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13974/Alco-Six-Race-Car.aspx. Retrieved 20 February 2014.

'Lot No. 43: 1909 ALCO 40HP Runabout', (http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1909-alco-40-hp-runabout/). Gooding & Company. http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1909-alco-40-hp-runabout/. Retrieved 20 February 2014.

Wikipedia contributors, 'American Locomotive Company', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 14 February 2014, 00:58 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Locomotive_Company&oldid=595383307 accessed 20 February 2014

By Jeremy McMullen