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1916 Locomobile Model 48

Locomobile was organized in June 1899 by John Brisben Walker, Cosmopolitan magazine editor and publisher, and Amzi Lorenzo Barber, who earned a fortune in the asphalt business. Production began with small steam-powered cars built to a Stanley design. The early years were defined by management and ownership changes, a merger, and the development of a new gasoline model.

Quality construction earned the company an enviable reputation, reinforced by a brief but glorious competition career with entries in the 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup in France and the 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup races held at Long Island, where a third-place podium was scored in 1905. The 1906 Vanderbilt Cup car, 'Old 16,' was driven to victory at the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup by George Robertson, setting a new speed record and becoming the first American-built car to win the prestigious event. After additional victories in 1908, Locomobile abandoned racing by 1909, and its road models were reorganized for 1909 and beyond. Many of the Locomobile vehicles built in the immediate years that followed were given ornate and luxurious decorations, with lamps and metalwork designed by Tiffany & Co., and Elsie De Wolf. The company's roster of clientele included many of the most influential, famous, and wealthy of the era.

The six-cylinder Model 48 was introduced in 1911, followed by the new (and six-cylinder) Model 38 by 1912 and produced through 1918. By 1914, Locomobile had ceased production of four-cylinder models to focus on its range of sixes.

Locomobile Model 48

Designed by Andrew Riker, the Model 48 would remain in production until the end of the marque's existence. The Locomobiles used the finest materials available, and no shortcuts were taken in its construction or finishes.

The 142-inch wheelbase frame used chassis members that were pressed from chrome-nickel steel, then heat-treated and hot-riveted together for strength and rigidity. The suspension was via chrome-nickel-tungsten steel leaf springs, with 3/4 elliptical at the rear and semi-elliptical in the front.

Its 6-cylinder engine had bore and stroke dimensions of 4½' x 5½, and the iron T-head cylinders were cast in pairs and bolted to a bronze crankcase. The crankcase contained a drop-forged alloy steel crankshaft that was both dynamically and statically balanced and rode in seven main bearings. There was a bronze-bodied carburetor, an aluminum intake, and the exhaust valves were chrome-cobalt steel. Coil and battery ignition ignite dual ignition through a pair of 6-cylinder distributors, and the gearbox casing was cast in manganese bronze.

Locomobile Model 38

The Model 38 was built using the same high-quality components as its Model 48 sibling but used a slightly smaller 140-inch wheelbase chassis and powered from a 425 cubic-inch T-head inline 6-cylinder engine fitted with a Locomobile Single Updraft carburetor and producing 63 horsepower. While other manufacturers used 3-speed gearboxes for their high horsepower engines with massive torque, Locomobile stood by its 4-speed manual transmission. Two-wheel mechanical brakes at the rear provided the stopping power. The solid front axle was suspended by semi-elliptic leaf springs, while the full-floating rear axle used ¾-elliptic leaf springs.

Most designs came from Locomobile's own Custom Body Department under the direction of former Kellner designer J. Frank de Causse, and many were conservative sedans, limousines, or open touring bodies. They were admired for their simplicity and lack of compound bends, favoring simple curves and straight lines. With no body-building facility of its own, Locomobile chose the best coachbuilders to create the coachwork.

With prices that ranged from $4,400 to $5,700, the Locomobile Model 38 was only attainable to those with well-endowed banking accounts.

Locomobile was acquired by Durant Motors in July 1922, which continued to use the Locomobile nameplate for its prestigious line of automobiles until 1929. A few years earlier, in 1925, the 8-66 Junior Eight had been introduced, powered by a more contemporary straight-eight engine and priced at a more obtainable $1,7,85. An even smaller Junior Six model was introduced in 1926, but it remained in production for one model year. The Junior Six was joined by a larger Model 90 that would remain in production until 1929. Another eight-cylinder model, the 8-70, began production in 1927 using a readily available Lycoming engine.

The models introduced near the company's demise were affordable; they were intended to boost production and improve the company's finances. Instead, they tarnished the company's reputation and damaged its market position.

Like many other manufacturers, the company stumbled in the early Twenties, affected by both the post-WWI recession and the flood of military trucks that came on the market after the war and hindered sales of its Riker truck line. Acquired by Hare's Motors when Billy Durant's empire collapsed, it became a victim of inspired mismanagement and manipulation, entering receivership in 1929. Had the company survived into the 1930s, it surely would have fallen victim to the Great Depression, a fate that claimed many of the prestigious automakers that relied on the limited pool of wealthy buyers.

by Dan Vaughan

3-Passenger Sedan by Locke
Chassis number: 10398
Engine number: 12466

The Locomobile Company of America was founded in 1899 in Watertown, Massachusetts. It relocated to Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1900, where car production continued until the company closed in 1929. Steam-powered cars were built until 1903, when production changed to internal combustion engines. The 48 was the most significant model produced. It had a wheelbase of 142 inches and a straight-six with side valves; cylinders were still cast-in-pairs, and it featured a non-removable cylinder head. Displacement was 525 cubic inches and 85 actual horsepower, and a tax rating of 48.6 horsepower. The quality of materials and workmanship was impeccable. In 1916 the chassis cost $4,600, and the body could cost as much as $2,200 more.

This car carries a custom Locke 'Three Passenger Sedan' body and was one of the very special series of custom bodies offered by Locomobile. The interior is still original except for the seat buttons. The inside roof is finished in leather panels with varnished wood surrounds. The windshield has two panels so it can be opened in rain and water will not come in the car. The quarter windows open to allow complete ventilation.

The body only holds two people, and it has a trunk, not a rumble seat. The 142-inch wheelbase, dual rear-mounted spares, and small passenger compartment create an incredibly huge means of transport for two lucky people.

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