1914 Locomobile Model 48 Touring

'Easily, the Best Built Car in America'
The Locomobile Company of America was incorporated in 1899 by John Walker, editor of Cosmopolitan magazine and the asphalt magnate Amzi Barber. Walker arranged for the Stanley brothers to sell their steam-car business for $250,000, which is what Barber had paid for half of the Locomobile business. After four months, the partnership split up, with Walker building the same car, now called the Mobile. The Stanley car was renamed Locomobile and more than 4,000 cars were produced by 1902. A gasoline-powered car was designed in secret and introduced in 1903. Steam car production ended in 1904.

Locomobile was later known for building some of the finest automobiles, and was considered by some to be the American Rolls-Royce. In 1911, the renowned 525 cubic-inch, T-head, six-cylinder Model 48 was introduced. It would remain in production until 1924. Cars were available in three wheelbases, the Model 38, of 132 inches, with a 43.8 horsepower engine, and the Model 48, of 136- or 140-inches, with a 48.6 horsepower version. A four-speed transmission was used and the car could cruise at 55 mph on the occasionally encountered truly good road.

Octagonal shapes, such as the lamps and instruments, were a common theme for Locomobile and helped to differentiate it from the other cars. By 1914, custom body builders were often contracted to build bodies for wealthy clients. Accessories by Tiffany Studios were also not uncommon on Locomobiles.