1922 Locomobile Model 48

The Locomobile Company of America was founded in 1899 by John B. Walker, editor and publisher of Cosmopolitan, after acquiring designs for a steam-powered vehicle produced by Francis and Freelan Stanley. The name 'Locomobile' was a combination of 'locomotive' and 'automobile.' Mr. Walker was soon joined by Amzi L. Barber, who acquired half of Walker's interest in the company, but this partnership was brief, last just two weeks. Barber moved production of the Locomobile to Bridgeport, Connecticut and Walker left to found Mobile Company of America at the Stanley works in Tarrytown, New York.

Locomobiles initially used steam power but by 1904 had switched to internal combustion.

The company's most important model was the Model 48, designed by Andrew Riker and introduced in 1911 as the 'type M.' Mr. Andrew Lawrence Riker had been hired by Locomobile in 1902. he had built his first electric car in his family's basement at 40-years-old and, by 1889, had established the Riker Electric Vehicle Company, which became one of America's largest manufacturers of electric automobiles and trucks. While employed at Locomobile, Mr. Riker developed both a two- and four-cylinder automobile with both engines having a manganese bronze block and gear case and a chassis made of heat-treated steel. Both the engine and chassis were vigorously tested, separately, before the two were joined together. Every aspect of the vehicle was thoroughly inspected, as quality and durability were paramount. With a set production of 'Four Cars a Day,' Locomobile proudly declared that their vehicles were 'The Best Built Car in America.' Performance was equally important, and the company demonstrated its capabilities by winning the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup race.

The Model 48 had a conventional chassis pressed from chrome-nickel steel, had a wheelbase of 143 inches, and until 1915, could be specified in either left- or right-hand drive configuration. The suspension was via chrome-nickel-tungsten steel leaf springs, semi-elliptical in the front and 3/4 elliptical at the back.

The 429.4 cubic-inch, seven main bearing engine had a 4.5-inch bore, 5.5-inch stroke, side valves, and its T-head cylinders were cast in pairs, bolted to a bronze crankcase which contained a drop-forged alloy steel crankshaft, and had a nonremovable cylinder head. An aluminum intake manifold mated up with a bronze-bodied carburetor. The 48.6 horsepower tax rating it produced earned it the name 'Model 48.' The four-speed gearbox casing was cast in manganese bronze and the exhaust valves were chrome-cobalt steel. The coil and battery ignition ignite dual ignition through a pair of 6-cylinder distributors.

The bodies were designed by Locomobile's own Custom Body Department under the direction of former Kellner designer J. Frank de Causse. Additionally, the rolling chassis could be supplied to independent coachbuilders to receive coachwork to the client's wishes. Since Locomobile did not have body-building facilities of its own, it relied on coachbuilders to create the bodies, although they specified that the coachbuilder's nameplate not be affixed.

De Causse preferred simple, yet elegant styling with simple curved fenders that followed the wheels' radius, flowing gracefully into the running boards and balancing the bodies' flat panels. Edges were highlighted with raised beads, and compound bends were avoided.

The post-World War I recession was financially devastating to Locomoible during the early 1940s, and it was unsuccessfully merged with Mercer and Simplex before being bought by Durant Motors in 1922, with limited production continuing until 1929. Until the mid-1920s, the Model 48 was Locomobile's only offering. The Model 8-66 Junior Eight was added in 1925 which employed a more contemporary straight-eight engine and was listed at a more reasonable price. The company moved even further downmarket in 1926 with the introduction of the Junior Six. The Junior Six was produced for only a single year, but the larger Model 90 - also introduced in 1926, remained in production until 1929. The Model 8-70 was introduced in 1927 and was powered by an eight-cylinder Lycoming engine. The Junior Eight 8-66 was phased out in 1928, and the 8-86 and 8-88 were added in 1929.

by Dan Vaughan

Sportif
Chassis number: 18033

Locomobile introduced its Model 48 in 1911. The car had a design courtesy of Andrew Riker, and it would remain in production until the marque ceased to exist.

Locomobile had no body-building facility of its own; rather, the company selected independent coachbuilders to perform the work to meet the wishes of the clients. Though the work was outsourced, many of the designs came from Locomobile's own 'custom body department' under the direction of former Kellner designer J. Frank de Causse. The designs were simple, distinctive, elegant, and are regarded as some of the best design work of the period. Of all the designs produced by Mr. de Causse, the 'Sportif' tourer was the most elegant of them all.

This example was once owned by New England collector Stanley Tarnapal. While in his care, the car was given a sympathetic restoration, bringing it back to its original condition. It was later purchased by Wolfgang Gawor, who would maintain and keep the car until the end of his life. In 2004, the car was sold to a private California collector. It was then acquired by its current owner in 2005.

Power is from a 525 cubic-inch T-head six-cylinder engine with a single updraft carburetor. The 95 horsepower produced by the engine is sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed selective sliding gearbox. There is a live rear axle and rear drum brakes. In the back is a luggage trunk nestled between the fenders. There are large bell headlamps and built-in markers. The interior is upholstered in black leather and there are dual folding windscreens.

In 2010, this Model 48 Sportif Tourer was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The lot was estimated to sell for $90,000 - $120,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the lot was sold for the sum of $88,000, including buyer's reserve.

by Dan Vaughan

Sportif
Chassis number: 18153
Engine number: 13423

This 1922 Locomobile Model 48 Sportif is powered by a 525 cubic-inch T-head inline 6-cylinder engine breathing through a single carburetor and delivering an estimated 95 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission, leaf spring suspension, and four-wheel mechanical drum brakes. The Sportif body was designed by Locomobile's own Custom Body Department under the direction of former Kellner designer J. Frank de Causse.

This Locomobile was hidden away in a garage in Pebble Beach for several decades. Its current caretaker acquired it from long-time storage in a Stockton warehouse, having previously been owned by a prominent Bay Area family in the department store business.

It is believed that this vehicle is original and has never been fully restored, perhaps just cosmetically refreshed many years ago, and currently wears a Grey and Black paint scheme.

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