1915 Locomobile Model 48

The Locomobile Model 48 'M' was the Bridgeport, Connecticut, firm's most memorable offering and its long-lived existence spanned both the Brass and Classic Eras (spanning the brass, nickel, and chrome eras), making it one of the longest-lived American luxury automobiles. Introduced in 1911, the Model 48 remained in production through 1926 with only minimal changes during that time. It earned its reputation through its solid and conservative construction and its exclusivity was guaranteed by its astronomical price tag. While a Ford Model T was priced at $600 at the time, a Locomobile could cost as much as $9,900.

They were known initially as the 'M' and later as the Model 48. Power was from a massive T-head, seven-liter, six-cylinder engine that eventually grew to 525 cubic inches, with a balanced crankshaft turning on nine main bearings and cylinders cast in pairs. The bronze crankcase contained a drop-forged alloy steel crankshaft and the bronze-bodied carburetor was mated to an aluminum intake manifold. The gearbox casing was cast in manganese bronze and the exhaust valves were chrome-cobalt steel. Special metals were used extensively throughout the vehicle resulting in durability and exceptional performance. The use of these metals made the cars highly valuable during the World War II scrapping era, which led to the demise of many examples. Thus, relatively few Locomobile Model 48s have survived.

Some Locomobiles wore coachwork by independent coachbuilders to clients' requests, however, most designs came from Locomobile's own Custom Body Department under the direction of former Kellner designer J. Frank de Causse. Since Locomobile did not have a body building facility of its own, they were able to select the best coachbuilders to handle the coachwork of its vehicles. De Causse's style was renowned and appreciated for its simplicity and elegance, devoid of compound bends with simple curves that mirrored the wheels' radius and complemented the flat panels of the body. They were classic expressions of restrained style that perfectly complemented the Model 48's mechanical prowess and quality.

Locomobile was founded in 1899 by John Walker, publisher of Cosmopolitan magazine. They acquired Stanley and, for the first (approximately) five years, produced steam cars. By 1905, however, steam was discontinued, and all Locomobiles were gasoline-powered. In 1902, the company hired Andrew Lawrence Riker to help with the development of their gasoline-powered automobile. Riker had constructed his first electric car in his family's basement at the age of 40 and, by 1899, had established the Riker Electric Vehicle Company, which became one of America's largest manufacturers of electric automobiles and trucks.

Riker's two- and four-cylinder automobiles developed for Locomobile used a strong manganese bronze block and gear case. Every engine was thoroughly tested prior to installation in the chassis, which was made of heat-treated steel. The chassis members of the Model 48 were pressed from chrome-nickel steel, then heat-treated and hot-riveted together. The leaf springs were formed from chrome-nickel-tungsten steel, with semi-elliptical springs in the front and a 3/4 elliptical setup in the back. Every chassis was then tested for several hundred miles. This relentless and thorough testing, along with a set production of 'Four Cars a Day,' allowed Locomoible to boast, 'The Best Built Car in America.'

Along with reliability, Locomobiles were also fast, proven by winning the Vanderbilt Cup race in 1908. By 1919, the company had entered receivership after an ill-advised expansion plan left the company insolvent. Locomobile was not alone in its perilous financial position, as many other companies were feeling the effects of the post-World War I recession. Many of the programs and procedures put in place during World War I had been removed or modified after the armistice, resulting in economic dislocation, most evident by the spring of 1920.

During 1920, Emlen Hare, a former Packard Executive, assembled a conglomerate of noteworthy manufacturers that had succumbed to the economic pressure of the era, including Locomobile, Mercer, and Simplex. Ultimately, this venture failed rather quickly, and within a year, Locomobile was briefly on its own again before William C. Durant came to the rescue in 1922. Under Mr. Durant's guidance, the company flourished once again, but when the Stock Market crashed at the end of the decade, Locomobile was forced to shutter its doors permanently.

by Dan Vaughan

The Locomobile, produced in Bridgeport, CT, was advertised as the Uncommon Car because it was produced in small numbers, not exceeding four cars per day. The fact that only 1,000 Locomobile closed cars were produced in 10 years illustrates the idea of quality instead of quantity.

The vehicle is powered by an in-line, six-cylinder, 425.5 cu. in. engine producing 43.8 hp. The car rests on a 132-inch wheelbase with an aluminum body and weighs approximately 5,500 lbs. The Locomobile was the first vehicle produced with an all-metal top that incorporated the sun visor as part of the roof.

The interior boasts jump seats, an intercom system, his/her vanities, imported fabrics and trim, robe rail, coat hooks, silk shades, and interior lamps by Tiffany.

The example recently completed a 3-year frame-off restoration and is being shown for the first time.

Touring
Chassis number: 10263
Engine number: 9385

The Locomobile Model M later became known as the Model 48 for its taxable horsepower rating from its large T-head six-cylinder engine. This particular M6 Touring car is believed to have been built in June or July of 1915 - the first year of M6 production. Harold Coker of Illinois found the car in warehouse storage, where it had resided for numerous years. The car remained in its original condition and soon received a sympathetic restoration that included some paintwork. During the 1970s, it was used on a Glidden Tour and then saw limited use during the 1980s and 1990s. It remained in the Coker collection until 2010 when it was acquired by the current caretaker. An extensive servicing soon followed, including the installation of a new clutch and a vintage twin ignition system. In 2013 it participated in the Glidden tour in Tennessee.

In 2016, the car was traded to an individual in Maine, and in 2019, it was acquired back by its present owner.

This car has a 524 cubic-inch T-head inline 6-cylinder with a single Updraft carburetor and develops 48 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drum brakes, semi-elliptic leaf spring front suspension, and elliptic leaf springs in the back.

by Dan Vaughan

The name '48' was used by the Locomobile Company to signify their six-cylinder engines that were originally rated at 48 horsepower. The first Model 48 was introduced in 1911 and remained in production until 1924. At this point, horsepower had skyrocketed to just over 100. When it was first introduced, it was a marvel both aesthetically and mechanically. By the mid-1920s, it had begun to show its age. Sales reflected, and as a result, the company was forced to increase its price.

During the mid-1910s, the Company experimented with custom coachwork to appeal to wealthy clients. The vehicles were built to customer specifications and created to satisfy their needs and desires. The use of accessories by Tiffany Studios was not uncommon for the Locomobile Company at this time.

by Dan Vaughan

Owned by elite members of upper East Coast aristocracy like Vanderbilt, Wanamaker, Melon, Gould, and Governor Cox of Massachusetts, and prestigious members of the West like Tom Mix, Charlie Chaplin, and Cecil B. DeMille, the Locomobile Model 48 was one of the most expensive and elegant automobiles ever manufactured in the United States. Weighing 3 tons, the six-cylinder Model 48 came arrived on the scene in 1911 and became known as the 'Best Built Car in America'. During its eight-year production run, the most famous Locomobile was originally priced at $4,800, which would eventually rise to $9,600. By 1923 the Model 48, advertised as the 'The Exclusive Car for Exclusive People' was in such demand that the automobile was produced at a rate of two per day.

Locomobile began its story as a manufacturer of inexpensive light steam carriages before it began building gasoline-powered automobiles. By 1904 the company had transformed itself into a luxury brand and experimented with custom coachwork in an attempt to appeal to a wealthy clientele. The automobiles were built to exact customer specifications, and the accessories came from Tiffany Studios.

Locomobile found itself trying to reinstate itself in the premier auto market once again in 1921 after a new board of directors seated themselves at the helm. At the Bridgeport plant, using overstocked parts, the Model 48 was assembled with engineer Andrew Lawrence Riker making mechanical improvements. Unfortunately for the Locomobile Company, Riker left the company in 1921.

The Locomobile Company named the Series 8 Model '48' to signify their six-cylinder engines that were originally rated at 48 horsepower. Introduced in 1911, the '48' would continue in production until 1924 and was constructed of magnesium bronze, aluminum, and steel. The wheelbase of the Model 48 was nearly 30 inches longer than that of a modern Chevy Suburban. Many of the powertrain components were cast in bronze, while the chassis was constructed of chrome-nickel steel. The Model 48 would be one of the few luxury automobiles whose production period would span the brass, nickel, and chrome eras. It was an expensive, old-fashioned vehicle for wealthy, conservative, old-fashioned people.

Featuring balloon tires, the 48 sported Buffalo wire wheels, and nickel-plated or brass trim. Most Locomobiles featured two spares and the option of two-wheel drum brakes or four-wheel brakes. Demarest was responsible for the body of the Model 48 and was something not often seen – a six-fendered car with the fifth and six fenders sitting just in front of the rear passenger compartment. At first, the Model 48 was met with fanfare and popularity, but before long the basic design of the car, even with numerous mechanical improvements, was an outdated design. Horsepower dwindled down to just over 100, and sales of the basically unchanged Model 48 continued through 1932 and 1924, still using 1919 parts. Late in 1924 the new Model 48 was debuted; the 19,000 Series. Though it was basically the same car, the 19000 Series sold for $2,000 less.

The following year the Model 48 was officially discontinued and replaced with the Model 90, a new luxury automobile. Unfortunately, many coachbuilt-bodied Locomobiles were made into scrap metal during World War II. Today there are approximately 167 Model 48's known to exist and are considered wonderful historic examples of a bygone era. Valuable and extremely collectible, the Locomobile Model 48 was a truly exceptional automobile.

Sources:

http://www.locomobilesociety.com/history.cfm

http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2005/03/01/hmn_feature17.html

http://www.classiccarweekly.net/2012/06/01/locomobile-model-48/

by Jessican Donaldson