1903 Marr Runabout

Walter Lorenzo Marr was a talented engineer whose early career included working with David Dunbar Buick, helping to build the first Buick vehicles. He worked with Mr. Buick from 1889 until 1901, then returned again in 1904 and continued through 1918 as the Buick Motor Company's Chief Engineer. From that point forward until 1923, he remained with the company, serving as a consultant.

Walter Marr built a trike in 1898 and powered it by a single-cylinder engine with a bore and stroke of 3-inches each. The engine used one of the first 'valve-in-head' configurations, certainly among Mr. Marr's greatest contributions to the automobile industry. Known as the 'overhead valve' configuration, the design placed the valves directly above the pistons. This allowed for better breathing resulting in more power and improved performance. The overhead-valve engine configuration was applied to the Buick vehicles, helping establish a reputation for durability and performance. The invention was patented by Buick's chief engineer Eugene Richard in 1904 (applied 1902).

Following a disagreement between Marr and Buick, Marr set off on his own after acquiring a prototype from Buick. It was powered by a one-cylinder gasoline engine with approximately 6.5 horsepower and installed in a 66-inch wheelbase. It performed its first test run in late 1902, followed by further testing in early 1903, where it endured a 1,000-mile journey.

The Marr Autocar Company of Detroit, Michigan, was formed in 1902 and continued through 1904. While Marr searched for production facilities within the Detroit area, a contract with the Fauber Manufacturing Company of Elgin, Illinois, was established for the construction of 100 units. After approximately ten examples were built, the plant burnt down on August 11th, 1904.

Marr returned to Buick where the pair improved the valve-in-head engine and launched the Buick automobile.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021