Early Production-Line Cars

By the end of the first decade of the 20th century, it was clear that the motor car was here to stay, and carmakers started looking for ways to increase production. De Dion-Bouton in France and Oldsmobile in the United States both claimed sales of over 2,000 in 1902, but Henry Ford would eclipse them all, as he introduced the moving production line to motor car manufacturing.

Vulcan 10HP, 1904

 

Origin	UK
Engine	1,500 cc, straight-two
Top speed	35 mph (56 km/h)

Vulcan cars offered exceptional value for money. The 1903 single-cylinder cost just £105 and the 1904 twin £200: consequently, sales rocketed during 1904-06.

Wolseley 6HP, 1901

 

Origin	UK
Engine	714 cc, single-cylinder
Top speed	25 mph (40 km/h)

Herbert Austin designed and oversaw manufacture of this Voiturette before setting up his own company. Its efficient design ensured successful production.

Oldsmobile Curved Dash, 1901

 

Origin	USA
Engine	1,564 cc, single-cylinder
Top speed	20 mph (32 km/h)

Ransom Eli Olds conceived the world’s first mass-production car. It was light, simple, affordable, and reliable: 2,100 were sold in 1902 and 5,000 more in 1904.

Speedwell 6HP Dogcart, 1904

 

Origin	UK
Engine	700 cc, single-cylinder
Top speed	25 mph (40 km/h)

Speedwell made a wide range of cars from 6hp to 50hp, though it only lasted from 1900 to 1907. The Dogcart used a De Dion-type engine.

L’Elegante 6HP, 1903

 

Origin	France
Engine	942 cc, single-cylinder
Top speed	28 mph (45 km/h)

Like De Dion-Bouton, L’Elegante cars were built in Paris. They closely resembled De Dion-Boutons and used their engines. The L’Elegante only lasted four years.

Knox 8HP, 1904

 

Origin	USA
Engine	2,253 cc, single-cylinder
Top speed	28 mph (45 km/h)

Knox sold hundreds of these simple cars, which were notable for full-length springs and an air-cooled, single-cylinder engine covered in screwed-in pins to increase cooling.

Cadillac Model A, 1903

 

Origin	USA
Engine	1,606 cc, single-cylinder
Top speed	35 mph (56 km/h)

Henry Leland set up Cadillac in 1902 after parting with Henry Ford; in 1903 he sold some 2,400 of these simple, well-engineered small cars for $750 each.

De Dion-Bouton 10HP Type W, 1904

 

Origin	France
Engine	1,728 cc, straight-two
Top speed	40 mph (64 km/h)

De Dion-Bouton claimed to be the world’s largest car producer, selling 2,000 cars in 1902 alone, and offering a wide choice of popular, easy-to-drive vehicles.

Spyker 12/16HP Double Phaeton, 1905

 

Origin	Netherlands
Engine	2,544 cc, square-four
Top speed	45 mph (72 km/h)

The Spijker brothers started selling other marques before producing their own from 1900. From 1904 they made a range of large, advanced cars, including a 4×4.

Ford Model T Tourer, 1908

 

Origin	USA
Engine	2,896 cc, straight-four
Top speed	42 mph (68 km/h)

Henry Ford dreamed of bringing motoring to the wider public, and by using a moving assembly line he achieved it with the rugged, reliable, low-cost Model T.

CID Baby, 1910

 

Origin	France
Engine	single-cylinder
Top speed	40 mph (64 km/h)

Cottereau of Dijon was renamed CID in 1910; its best-known product was the Baby, a light car with a Buchet engine driving through a four-speed friction transmission.

Renault AX, 1908

 

Origin	France
Engine	1,060 cc, straight-two
Top speed	35 mph (56 km/h)

French manufacturers excelled at making lightweight, practical vehicles; the AX was a perfect example. Popular with taxi drivers, it was in production for six years.

Humber Humberette, 1913

 

Origin	UK
Engine	998 cc, V2-cylinder
Top speed	25 mph (40 km/h)

This well-made economy model featured an air-cooled engine. It was classed as a “cyclecar” for tax purposes, since it weighed under 700 lb (320 kg).

Peugeot Bebe, 1913

 

Origin	France
Engine	855 cc, straight-four
Top speed	37 mph (60 km/h)

Ettore Bugatti designed this car for Wanderer, but it was best known as a Peugeot; 3,095 were sold during 1913-16.

Twombly Model B, 1914

 

Origin	USA
Engine	1,290 cc, straight-four
Top speed	50 mph (80 km/h)

Mounting the axles above the chassis gave the Twombly unusually low lines. It was very narrow, and its tandem seating was an uncommon feature that proved unpopular.

Dodge Model 30 Touring Car, 1914

 

Origin	USA
Engine	3,480 cc, four-cylinder
Top speed	Unknown

The Dodge brothers were formerly subcontractors to Ford. Their own first car was twice as powerful as the Model T, and was supplied with an all-steel welded body.

Standard 9½hp Model S, 1913

 

Origin	UK
Engine	1,087 cc, straight-four
Top speed	45 mph (72 km/h)

Set up by Reginald Maudsley in 1903, Standard gained a reputation for making good engines, which were also used by other marques; its own cars sold well.

Stellite 9HP, 1913

 

Origin	UK
Engine	1,098 cc, straight-four
Top speed	45 mph (72 km/h)

A subsidiary company of Wolseley, which later absorbed it, Stellite’s advanced features included rack-and-pinion steering and overhead inlet valves.

 

It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011