1909 Hupmobile Model 20

The first Hupmobile was created on November 1st, 1908, built by Robert Craig Hupp. Hupp had worked for Regal, Olds, and Ford but had decided to design and build his own interpretation of the automobile. Designed the Hupmobile Runabout, this prototype was completed in time for the February 1909 Detroit Automobile Show, where Hupp received production orders for the vehicle with advance payments of $50 each.

The production Hupmobile was known as the Model 20, and it was a two-passenger runabout that sold for around $750 (F.O.B. Detroit). A four-cylinder, water-cooled engine displaced 122 cubic inches provided 16.9 horsepower and was mated to a sliding gear transmission that sent power to the rear wheels. It had an 86-inch wheelbase chassis and a rectangular slab-style 11-gallon fuel tank positioned behind the seats. Accessories offered at an additional cost included a folding top, luggage rack, gas headlamps, glass windscreen, and a brass Prest-O-Lite cylinder.

Production was strong in its first year, commencing in March 1909, with 1618 examples being created. The strong demand necessitated a new for larger premises, and total Hupmobile production increased to 5,340 units for 1910. The original Runabout was joined by a Torpedo and an enclosed three-passenger coupe body styles. The Model H (also known as the Model 32) was introduced for 1912 and eventually succeeded the Model 20 in 1915. This

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

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2006