1911 Kelsey Model M Motorette

Cadwallader Washburn Kelsey produced some very interesting machines. His first car was powered by a two-cycle, single-cylinder engine that ultimately proved to be a failure, but he kept many of the parts. Inspired by the Léon Bollée tricycle, he joined with Sheldon Tilney, to build a three-wheel car called the Autotri. Later, he became an agent for Autocar in Pennsylvania and continued to build his own cars before selling Maxwells and then becoming sales manager for Columbia in Hartford, Connecticut.

The Motorette was put into production in 1911. It had a three-wheel design with a single rear wheel and a two-stroke 10 horsepower engine. Initially it was air-cooled but this proved insufficient. He later switched to thermo-syphon water cooling. The wheelbase measured 74 inches and it weighed 700 pounds. Dubbed the Motorette, it was priced at $385 F.O.B. Hartford.

This particular Model M was acquired in 2007 by the Merrick Auto Museum. It has been given a restoration and finished in a yellow-over-orange motif. The seat is upholstered by buttoned black leather. The car has Solar brass kerosene sidelamps and taillight. Power is from a water-cooled 10 horsepower engine that drives through a two-speed planetary gearbox to the rear wheel via a Whitney roller chain. The radiator is mounted behind the seat.

During its production lifespan, Kelsey Motorette produced nearly 200 cars.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020