1906 Success Model A

The Success Auto Buggy Manufacturing Company was based in St. Louis, Missouri, and was in the automobile business from 1906 through 1909. The man behind the company was John C. Higdon, who had built his first car using his surname in 1896. They offered one of the lowest-priced auto buggies on the market, starting at a mere $250. They also claimed their product could achieve 100 mpg. Their advertisement claimed that 'The expense of operating the Success is lower than any other automobile or the keeping of a horse.' Their early vehicle, the Model A, rode on a short 62-inch wheelbase and was powered by an air-cooled, single-cylinder engine offering about six horsepower. The motor was attached to a two-speed planetary gearbox while powered by the right wheel only. As the years progressed, their product evolved, going from a single-cylinder engine to either a two- or four-cylinder powerplant with a choice of air or water cooling.

The Success Auto Buggy Company held patents on certain features of the motor buggy. They tried to collect royalties from other high-wheeler manufacturers. When they did not comply, Success took them to court. They went after Economy of Ft. Wayne and Kiblinger of Auburn, Indiana, but failed to get a favorable ruling.

Prior to building his first automobile, Higdon was a patent lawyer by trade, and he used the car for advertising purposes, boldly stating, 'Although we are patent lawyers, there is no patent on this vehicle, and everyone is free to copy it.' Years later, when he had a change of heart and mind, he began suing other manufacturers for patent design. His claim did not hold up in court.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2013