1915 Lozier Type 82

Henry Abram Lozier of Cleveland built a successful bicycle manufacturing company which he sold for $4 million (USD) and switched to automobile production. By 1900 he had established the Lozier Motor Company at Plattsburgh, New York, and was producing marine engines and launches. The first Lozier automobile was introduced in 1905 and came with a four-cylinder engine delivering 30 to 35 horsepower. A six-cylinder model followed in 1908, and by 1913, the six-cylinder engine available in two different sizes was the sole Lozier power unit.

Motorsports has always been a venue to improve and promote a product, and Lozier's first competitive success began in 1907 when Ralph Mulford scored numerous victories that continued through 1911, including the 1911 Vanderbilt Cup and 2nd in the inaugural Indianapolis 500. In 1910 and 1911, Loziers won more road races and broke more 24-hour records than any other single make proving the engineering prowess, performance, and durability of the brand. One of their advanced features was a braking system using pressurized water to cool hollowed brake drums.

During the first few decades of automobile production, manufacturers rose and fell, adding to the plethora of options available to the consumer. The list of options ranged from utilitarian vehicles with maximum space and minimal power to large and luxurious vehicles that were technically advanced and clothed with stately coach built, unique bodies. For several years, the Loziers were among the most expensive cars in the United States, with prices that put them in competition with Pierce-Arrow and Peerless. A Lozier cost nearly five times as much as a Cadillac in 1910. The steep price, new management, and a Detroit plant in 1910 led to the company's demise. After a bankruptcy sale in February of 1915, the new owners returned to the production of a six-cylinder Type 82 resting on a 136-inch wheelbase. Production reached approximately 200 cars that year and 153 the following year.

The Lozier Model 82 was powered by a 369 cubic-inch L-head inline six-cylinder unit breathing through a single Updraft carburetor and backed by a three-speed transmission with reverse. There were two-wheel mechanical brakes and a semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2020