1909 Alco 40 HP

The American Locomotive Company (ALCO) was in operation from 1901 until 1969, with a primary emphasis on locomotive manufacturing. Additionally, the company engaged in automobile production between the years 1906 and 1913. Founded by the amalgamation of eight smaller railroad companies in the Eastern US, ALCO would build many of America's steam engines.

With tooling, factories, and talented engineers, ALCO was suitably positioned to enter the burgeoning horseless carriage business. Expediting the process, they secured the U.S. license to build the Berliet automobiles of Lyon, France, for a period of three years. Marius Berliet built his first automobile in France around 1894 and refined the design in the subsequent years.

The American Berliets made their debut at the New York Auto Show in November 1906, which took place at the Grand Central Palace. Initially, the vehicles were equipped with four-cylinder engines that transmitted power to the wheels through a chain drive system; by 1908, a shaft drive mechanism had been adopted.

Locomobile functioned under the Berliet license until September 1910, after which it began manufacturing products based on its own designs. The influence of Berliet persisted throughout the production period of ALCOs, as demonstrated by the engine and numerous other components constructed using metric measurements.

The vehicles manufactured by Locomobile were renowned for their engineering excellence and held in high esteem, ranking among the pantheon of great early US cars. The company asserted that the construction of each vehicle required one year and seven months, as every part was meticulously designed and produced to precise standards. The company's use of vanadium, an 'anti-fatigue' metal, prompted the company to adopt the catchphrase 'It Stays New!' The use of fine materials and the meticulously over-engineered parts came at a cost, with each ALCO often priced between $5,500 and $9,000.

Proving the ALCO's power and endurance, the company's own Henry Fortune Grant drove a race-prepared ALCO to victory in the Vanderbilt Cup Race in 1909 and 1910 and competed in the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

Notwithstanding the widespread acclaim of ALCO and the substantial prices commanded by its vehicles, it is thought that the company faced significant challenges in achieving profitability, frequently incurring losses on each automobile manufactured. In 1913, the company unexpectedly closed its operations and halted automobile production.

The 1909 ALCO

ALCO had a diverse portfolio of automobiles to offer its customers in 1909, with four- and six-cylinder engines of various outputs, several wheelbase lengths, and stately body styles that could carry several passengers. The four-cylinder model produced 22 horsepower and used a 112-inch wheelbase platform to carry their limousine or landaulette coachwork, both priced at $4,500. The forty-horsepower version of the four-cylinder T-head engine had a displacement size of 487 cubic inches and a single updraft carburetor. Its seven-passenger touring coachwork was priced at $5,000. The six-cylinder model was also a 7-passenger tourer, and its T-head engine displaced 524.8 cubic inches. Priced at $6,000, it was one of the most expensive automobiles of its era.

The 1909 Alco automobiles used a four-speed manual transmission with double chain drive to the rear axle, a solid front axle, and a live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and two-wheel mechanical brakes. The 40 HP four-cylinder ALCO rested on a 126-inch wheelbase platform, and the six-cylinder version had a 133.5-inch wheelbase.

by Dan Vaughan

Runabout
Chassis number: 3634013

The automotive and locomotive industries have always seemed locked in a bitter struggle. However, one company, American Locomotive Company, or ALCO, would be one of the very few that would manage to bridge the gap.

Founded in 1901, ALCO would quickly become a popular builder of locomotives that would make their way up and down the eastern coast of the United States. The company would be birthed after a group of smaller railroad companies came together and formed the larger entity.

ALCO would be a rather big and influential company by 1905, just four years after it came into being. However, in spite of the growth of the company, those in management would realize there was a burgeoning market in the automotive industry. Instead of being an amalgamation of a number of smaller railroad companies to become one large company, ALCO could get the jump in the automotive industry and become one of the large companies straight-away.

Sparing no time, ALCO would begin producing automobiles in 1906. Initially, the company would build existing designs, particularly Berliets. A couple of years later, ALCO would begin producing cars of its own making. The company wouldn't just look into production road cars either. In fact, ALCO race cars would be rather popular and successful. In fact, in 1909 and 1910, an ALCO would win the Vanderbilt Cup.

But while the company's racing cars would be considered some of the best, ALCO automobiles for the road would have to be considered rather exceptional. The company would boast in its advertising that it took more than a year and a half just to build one car and chassis 3634018 would provide a good explanation as to why.

Being part of an influential, and therefore, wealthy company, ALCO automobiles would not skimp when it came to meticulously building and refining their road cars. Prices ranging from between $5,000 and $9,000 it would be little wonder why the automotive niche of ALCO would be defunct by 1913.

Chassis 3634018 is a 1909 ALCO 40HP Runabout. Its early history has been lost to time, but what is clear is that this particular is anything but commonplace. First of all, there are only to be around 12 ALCO automobiles known to exist anywhere in the world. However, this particular example features a dual-chain drive configuration. Such configurations were rare and that fact makes this ALCO all the more precious.

Though its first 50 years of history have been lost, it is known to have been purchased in March of 1961 by Mr. Anton Hulman from a Mr. Curtis Blake of Massachusetts. Hulman is famous for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He would purchase the car to become part of the display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. Before it would take its place within the museum collection the car would be carefully restored. From then on, the car would receive regular care and maintenance.

For the next 50 years of its existence, the 1909 ALCO would remain at the museum and would be maintained in good condition throughout that time. Then, in 2011, the ALCO would become available for sale. Upon coming to its new owner, the ALCO would undergo some service and light restoration. Part of this work would include having correct Solarclipse brass headlamps installed on the 1909 Runabout.

Finished in blue-green with touches of copper and brass, the 1909 is a picture of opulence and quality. Though more than a hundred years old, the ALCO's tan leather seats, and other striking features, just beg to go for a drive. Even still, more than a hundred years on, the 1909 ALCO looks ready for a run-about.

Sources:

'1909 ALCO Six Race Car News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13974/Alco-Six-Race-Car.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13974/Alco-Six-Race-Car.aspx. Retrieved 20 February 2014.

'Lot No. 43: 1909 ALCO 40HP Runabout', (http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1909-alco-40-hp-runabout/). Gooding & Company. http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1909-alco-40-hp-runabout/. Retrieved 20 February 2014.

Wikipedia contributors, 'American Locomotive Company', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 14 February 2014, 00:58 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Locomotive_Company&oldid=595383307 accessed 20 February 2014

by Jeremy McMullen