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 Dan Vaughan

Runabout

This is the only known survivor of the Marr Auto Car Company. After ten cars were built, the plant burnt down. The car was designed by Walter L. Marr and used as a prototype for the first production Buick. It was built by the Fauber Manufacturing Co. in Elgin, Illinois, which burned to the ground in August 1903. This car features the first known production overhead valve overhead cam engine in the U.S. The car features a patented tilt steering wheel, planetary gear transmission, and spark ignition box.

The designer of this car was Walter L. Marr, who worked for David Buick from 1889 until 1901 as Chief Engineer. At that time, Buick built engines for boats, sawmills, and other manufacturing uses. During this period, Marr built a motorized wagon in a barn behind the shop. After a disagreement between Buick and Marr, Walter purchased the car from Buick and used it as a prototype for the Marr Auto Car.

Later on, Marr, the current owner's great-grandfather, built this car before returning to Buick as Chief Engineer. There he built the first production Buick in 1904 and continued designing cars and engines for them until 1918.

This car is said to be the first overhead valve, overhead cam engine built in this country. This car is painted in its original color and will run at 35 MPH. It has a patented tilt steering wheel and a revolutionary new carburetor. It has changeable speed gears on a planetary transmission.

The designer of this car was Walter L. Marr, who worked for David Buick from 1889 until 1901 as Chief Engineer. At that time, Buick built engines for boats, sawmills, and other manufacturing uses. During this period, Marr built a motorized wagon in a barn behind the motor shop. After a disagreement between the two men, Mr. Marr purchased the car from Buick and used it as the prototype for the Marr Auto Car.

Walter Marr made significant changes to the vehicle after leaving Buick's employ. Perhaps most remarkable was the addition of an overhead camshaft to operate the valves. This is believed to be the first OHV OHC engine produced in the United States. Marr included four additional noteworthy features which he patented in 1903, the first tilt steering wheel, change gear, changeable speed gears on a planetary transmission, and a revolutionary new carburetor. It is known that as many as 35 Marr Auto cars were assembled in the Marr Auto Car factory in Elgin, IL. A factory fire in 1903 completely destroyed 14 of these cars and ended the company's existence.

Marr was asked to return to Buick's operations as chief engineer. There he built the first production Buick in 1904 and continued designing cars and engines for them until 1918. He remained on a consulting basis until 1923. The current owner is the great-grandson of Walter L. Marr.