1901 Mobile Model 9

The automobile industry was still very young in the 1890s and 1900s, and it saw the rise of several companies eager to lay claim to its potential fortunes. Of the many that tried, most failed. The Stanley twin brothers, Francis E. and Freelan O., from Kingfield, Maine, had made a fortune by improving a photographic dry plate process. They used this wealth and their talents to steam cars as early as 1897. Having a foothold in the industry, the brothers were approached by John Brisben Walker, an automobile enthusiast, and editor and publisher of Cosmopolitan magazine. Those conversations led to the sale of the Stanley business in April of 1899, with financial backing from Amzi Lorenzo Barber. After the $250,000 transaction was complete, the name of the company was changed to the Automobile Company of America. The name, however, had already been used, so they re-incorporated the business as the Locomobilie Company of America.

Barber and Walker did not get along, and soon the partnership was dissolved. Barber acquired Walker's share, but Walker kept the new building. Barber continued to build Locomobiles in Bridgeport, Connecticut, while Walker called his nearly-identical steam cars 'Mobiles.' Barber hired Stanford White of New York to design a factory for him. As the building was being built, Walker was able to satisfy the previous and current orders of steam cars, helping build his Locomobile reputation and providing the necessary cash flow. The first Mobile automobiles were not ready until March of 1900.

Since both the vehicles were nearly identical, Locomobile had already won this competition since they were able to provide their product earlier. Walker tried to gain more market share by offering a wider variety of bodies, however, Barber continued to sell more cars. In 1903, Walker produced 600 Mobiles while Barber built over 5,000 Locomobiles. As a result, Walker sold his Mobile plat in Tarrytown to Maxwell-Briscoe in May of 1904.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2020