Mitchell Motors Company

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wisconsin Wheel Works
Mitchell Motor Car Company
Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company
Mitchell Motors Company
legal form Inc.
founding 1896
resolution 1923
Reason for dissolution Bankrupt
Seat Racine , Wisconsin , USA
management DC Curland
Branch vehicles

building
Mitchell Model G from 1908
Mitchell from 1908
Mitchell from about 1910
Mitchell from 1910
Mitchell from 1912, described as Model 2-6
Rear view
Mitchell from 1919, allegedly Model E-40

Mitchell Motors Company was an American manufacturer of vehicles .

Company history

The company's origins go back to 1837 when the Mitchell Wagon Company was founded in Fort Dearborn near Chicago . Relocations were made to Kenosha in 1845 and Racine in 1857 , both in Wisconsin . This became the Mitchell & Lewis Company or the Mitchell & Lewis Wagon Company in 1884 , after William Turnor Lewis married the daughter of Henry Mitchell. Another source dated William T. Lewis' marriage to Mary Isabel Mitchell on October 27, 1864. An advertisement from 1898 confirms the name Mitchell & Lewis Co. Limited .

Another source presents the history somewhat differently. According to this, Henry Mitchell was born in Scotland in 1810 , emigrated with his wife to Chicago in 1834 and made carriages there. His partner was Joseph Quarles and the company name was either Mitchell Wagon Works or Mitchell & Quarles. In 1838 he sold his company, moved to Kenosha and started a new one there. In 1852 or 1853, he and his partner also sold this company to Edward Bain, who renamed it The Bain Wagon Company . In 1854 or 1855 he moved to Racine and started another company. 1864 joined his son William Turnor Lewis the company in that time H. Mitchell and Co. said. Elsewhere, the company name is H. Mitchell & Co. in 1884 was from the Mitchell, Lewis, and Co. and Mitchell Lewis & Company Ltd .

Wisconsin Wheel Works was founded as an independent company in 1896 . The seat was also in Racine. First, bicycles were created . Motorcycles were produced from 1898, 1900 and 1901 . An advertisement from 1902 confirms the company name. In 1900, the first passenger car named Howell was built on an order from LA Howell. In 1902 the development and in 1903 the marketing of automobiles began. The brand name was Mitchell . In the same year, bicycle production was sold to a company in Indiana . In 1903 or 1904 the name was changed to Mitchell Motor Car Company . Business did well for years with sales in the four-digit range from 1907.

Between 1905 and 1908, trucks and buses were also built . The first truck was given with 0.75 tons and later with 1 ton and 1.5 tons.

In 1910 there were 2800 employees. That year William T. Lewis retired. His son William Mitchell Lewis became the new president. The company name changed to Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company . One source says it was a merger of the Mitchell Car Company and the Mitchell & Lewis Company. Other sources mention the union of the Mitchell Wagon Company and Mitchell Motor Company and the Mitchell Wagon Company and Mitchell Motor Car Company, respectively.

In 1913, William M. Lewis left the company and founded the Lewis Motor Company in the same town. Joseph Winterbottom Jr. became the new president.

In 1916 the company was renamed the Mitchell Motors Company . According to another source, the family sold their shares in the Mitchell-Lewis Company to investors from Chicago and New York, as well as the Wagon Company and its patents to John Deere . In the same year, the previous sales manager Otis Friend became the new president. Friend retired in January 1918 and later ran Friend Motors Corporation . General Electric's DC Curland now ran the company.

In the 1920s, the competitive pressure became too great. Production ended in mid-1923. Bankruptcy followed in June 1923 . Nash Motors took over the factory in February 1924 and manufactured the Ajax there.

vehicles

motorcycles

They had a single cylinder engine with a capacity of 345 cm³ . Another source mentions a gasoline engine with 1.75 hp . In 1902 Mitchell was the market leader in the USA. A total of 600 motorcycles were manufactured.

Passenger cars

In 1903 there were two models. Both had single cylinder engines. In Model IV it had 7 hp and in Model VI 4 hp. Superstructures were each runabouts .

In 1904 there were also two models in the range. However, they were larger and more powerful than the previous year's models. The Model B-2 had a two-cylinder engine with 7 hp. The chassis had a wheelbase of 183 cm . It was bodied as a runabout with two seats. The Model B-4 had a four-cylinder engine with 16 hp and a 229 cm wheelbase. The open touring car offered space for five people.

In 1905 the smaller model got a wheelbase of 193 cm. In the larger model, the engine was now specified as 18/20 hp and the structure was a light touring car with five seats.

In 1906 the engine output of the smaller model was increased to 9/10 HP. With the larger model, the addition was easily omitted during assembly. In between the new model C-4 was placed. It had a four-cylinder engine, 14/18 hp, 218 cm wheelbase and a two-seater runabout structure. The top model was the Model D-4 . Its four-cylinder engine was specified with 24/30 hp. The wheelbase was exactly 100 inches , corresponding to 254 cm. The touring car had five seats.

In 1907 the two-cylinder model was discontinued. So for a few years all vehicles had a four-cylinder engine. In the Model D it was specified with 24/30 hp. The wheelbase of 254 cm enabled it to be built as a five-seat touring car. The Model E was smaller. A 20 hp engine propelled the vehicles. The wheelbase was 229 cm. The only body shape was a two-seater runabout. The Model F had an engine with 35 hp, a wheelbase of 274 cm and was bodied as a seven-seater touring car.

In 1908, Model G and Model H were runabouts with a 20 hp engine and 234 cm wheelbase. The Model I corresponded to the Model F of the previous year, but with a 284 cm wheelbase.

In 1909 Model J had an engine with 20 hp, a wheelbase of 234 cm and a two-seater runabout structure. Model K was a five-seater touring car with a 30 hp engine and 267 cm wheelbase. Model L ranked above this . Its engine developed 40 hp. The wheelbase was 297 cm. There was a choice of touring cars with seven seats and a limousine with five seats.

In 1910 the Model R was the smallest and weakest vehicle on offer. The engine developed 30 hp. The wheelbase measured 254 cm. Superstructures were runabouts with two and three seats and a runabout Surrey . The Model T had the same engine, but 284 cm wheelbase and a touring car body for four or five people. The new Model S had a six-cylinder engine with 50 hp for the first time . The wheelbase of 330 cm enabled bodies with five and seven seats as touring cars.

In 1911 nothing changed.

In 1912 the names of the individual models changed. Obviously, the first number indicated the number of seats and the second number the number of cylinders. Model 2-4 as a two-seater roadster and Model 4-4 as a four-seater touring car each had a 25 hp four-cylinder engine and a 254 cm wheelbase. The Model 5-4 had a 30 hp engine and 284 cm wheelbase. It was available both as a touring car with five seats and as a sedan. There were also two six-cylinder models. In the Model 5-6 Baby Six , the engine developed 34 hp. The wheelbase measured 318 cm. There was a choice of a touring car with five seats and a roadster. The top model was the Model 7-6 . The engine output was specified with 48 hp. A five-seater touring car body was mounted on a chassis with a 343 cm wheelbase.

In 1913 the first two models mentioned were discontinued. The wheelbase of the Model 5-4 was lengthened to 305 cm and the sedan was replaced by a two-seater roadster. The addition of Baby Six has been dispensed with in the model 5-6 . The engine was now specified with 38.4 hp. The wheelbase measured 335 cm. A five-seat touring car and a two-seat roadster were available. When Model 7-6 the wheelbase has been extended to 366 cm and the engine with 43.8 PS stated.

In 1914 new names were introduced. The Four had a four-cylinder engine with 28.9 hp, a wheelbase of 305 cm and bodies as a four-, five- and seven-seater touring car and a two-seater roadster. The Little Six was the six-cylinder model with the shorter wheelbase of 335 cm. The bodies available for selection corresponded to the four-cylinder model. The Big Six had the same engine with 43.8 hp and was only available as a seven-seater touring car.

1915 was the last year for a four-cylinder model. The Light Four had a 26 hp engine and a 295 cm wheelbase. On offer were five- and six-seat touring cars and a two-seat roadster. Light Six with a 38.4 hp engine and 325 cm wheelbase and Special Six with a 43.3 hp engine and 335 cm wheelbase had the same body shapes. Above that was the Deluxe Six . It too had the 43.3 hp engine, but a 366 cm wheelbase and was bodied as a seven-seater touring car.

The Six of '16 appeared in 1916 with a 318 cm wheelbase. In April 1916 it was replaced by the Mid-Year Six with a 323 cm wheelbase. The engine was specified with 29.4 hp. The touring cars offered either five or seven people. There was also a roadster with three seats. In addition, with the Eight , a vehicle with an eight-cylinder engine was offered for the first time . The engine was rated at 29 hp. The wheelbase and superstructures corresponded to the six-cylinder model. This was the only year for the eight-cylinder model. All of the following vehicles had only six-cylinder engines.

In 1917 the vehicles were given different names. The model C-42 had the more powerful engine with 29.4 hp. The wheelbase was 323 cm. These include touring cars with five and seven seats, convertibles and coupés with four seats each and two different sedans with seven seats. The Model D-40 Junior had an engine that was rated at 25.35 hp. The 305 cm wheelbase made it possible to assemble a five-seater touring car and two-seater roadster.

In 1918, neither engine details nor wheelbase changed. The model C-7-42 was available as a touring car with five and seven seats, a speedster with four seats, a roadster with three seats, a club roadster with five seats, a convertible and coupé with four seats each, a club limousine with five seats and a touring limousine , Limousine and town car with seven seats each on offer. The Model D-5-40 was available as a five-seat touring car, two-seat roadster, five-seat club roadster, three-seat coupe and five-seat touring sedan.

In 1919 there were only changes to the bodywork. For the Model C-7-42 there are touring cars with five and seven seats, Club Roadster with five seats, Surrey and Cabriolet and Coupé with four seats, touring sedans with seven seats, two different sedans with seven seats and a town car with seven Sitting handed down. The Model D-5-40 was only available as a five-seat touring car, three-seat roadster and also a three-seat coupé.

In 1920 the radiator grille was mounted at a slight angle. The rest of the body remained old-fashioned with vertical lines. The appearance is described as inharmonious. The nickname was drunken Mitchell . The only model this year was the E-40 model . The engine was specified with 40 hp. The wheelbase was 305 cm. There was a choice of roadsters with three seats, touring cars with five and seven seats, sedans with five seats and coupé with four seats.

In 1921 it became the F-40 model . The body lines have been revised. The seven-seater was omitted. The new model F-42 ranked above it . The engine was specified with 48 hp. The wheelbase measured 323 cm. A seven-seater touring car and a four-seater special have survived.

In 1922 there was only one model in the range, the F-50 . The engine was now specified with 50 hp. The chassis had a 305 cm wheelbase. Bodies were touring cars with five and seven seats, roadsters with three seats, a sport with four seats, coupé with four seats and a sedan with five seats.

In 1923 only the superstructure changed. Phaeton with five and seven seats replaced the touring cars. They were available as standard and deluxe, respectively. There was also a Deluxe Roadster with three seats and a Deluxe Sport with four seats.

Model overview

year model cylinder Power ( hp ) Wheelbase (cm) construction
1903 Model IV 1 7th Runabout
1903 Model VI 1 4th Runabout
1904 Model B-2 2 7th 183 Runabout 2-seater
1904 Model B-4 4th 16 229 5-seater touring car
1905 Model B-2 2 7th 193 Runabout 2-seater
1905 Model B-4 4th 18/20 229 Light touring car, 5-seater
1906 Model B-2 2 9/10 193 Runabout 2-seater
1906 Model B-4 4th 18/20 229 5-seater touring car
1906 Model C-4 4th 14/18 218 Runabout 2-seater
1906 Model D-4 4th 24/30 254 5-seater touring car
1907 Model D 4th 24/30 254 5-seater touring car
1907 Model E. 4th 20th 229 Runabout 2-seater
1907 Model F 4th 35 274 7-seater touring car
1908 Model G 4th 20th 234 Runabout
1908 Model H 4th 20th 234 Runabout
1908 Model I. 4th 35 284 7-seater touring car
1909 Model J 4th 20th 234 Runabout 2-seater
1909 Model K 4th 30th 267 5-seater touring car
1909 Model L 4th 40 297 7-seater touring car, 5-seater sedan
1910 Model R 4th 30th 254 Runabout 2-seater and 3-seater, Runabout Surrey
1910 Model S 6th 50 330 5-seater and 7-seater touring cars
1910 Model T 4th 30th 284 4-seater and 5-seater touring cars
1911 Model R 4th 30th 254 Runabout 2-seater and 3-seater, Runabout Surrey
1911 Model S 6th 50 330 5-seater and 7-seater touring cars
1911 Model T 4th 30th 284 4-seater and 5-seater touring cars
1912 Model 2-4 4th 25th 254 Roadster 2-seater
1912 Model 4-4 4th 25th 254 4-seater touring car
1912 Model 5-4 4th 30th 284 5-seater touring car, limousine
1912 Model 5-6 Baby Six 6th 34 318 5-seater touring car, roadster
1912 Model 7-6 6th 48 343 7-seater touring car
1913 Model 5-4 4th 30th 305 5-seater touring car, 2-seater roadster
1913 Model 5-6 6th 38.4 335 5-seater touring car, 2-seater roadster
1913 Model 7-6 6th 43.8 366 7-seater touring car
1914 Four 4th 28.9 305 Touring car 4-seat and 5-seat and 7-seat, roadster 2-seat
1914 Little Six 6th 43.8 335 Touring car 4-seat and 5-seat and 7-seat, roadster 2-seat
1914 Big Six 6th 43.8 366 7-seater touring car
1915 Light Four 4th 26th 295 5-seater and 6-seater touring cars, 2-seater roadsters
1915 Light Six 6th 38.4 325 5-seater and 6-seater touring cars, 2-seater roadsters
1915 Special Six 6th 43.3 335 5-seater and 6-seater touring cars, 2-seater roadsters
1915 Deluxe Six 6th 43.3 366 7-seater touring car
1916 The Six of '16 6th 29.4 318 5-seater and 7-seater touring cars, 3-seater roadsters
1916 Mid-Year Six 6th 29.4 323 5-seater and 7-seater touring cars, 3-seater roadsters
1916 Eight 8th 29 318 5-seater and 7-seater touring cars, 3-seater roadsters
1917 Model C-42 6th 29.4 323 5-seater and 7-seater touring car, 4-seater convertible, 4-seater coupé, 7-seater sedan
1917 Model D-40 Junior 6th 25.35 305 5-seater touring car, 2-seater roadster
1918 Model C-7-42 6th 29.4 323 5-seater and 7-seater touring cars, 4-seater Speedster, 3-seater roadster, 5-seater Club Roadster, 4-seater convertible, 4-seater coupé, 5-seater club sedan, 7-seater touring sedan, 7-seater sedan -seat, Town Car 7-seat
1918 Model D-5-40 6th 25.35 305 5-seater touring car, 2-seater roadster, 5-seater Club Roadster, 3-seater coupé, 5-seater touring sedan
1919 Model C-7-42 6th 29.4 323 5-seater and 7-seater touring cars, 5-seater Club Roadster, 4-seater Surrey, 4-seater convertible, 4-seater coupé, 7-seater touring sedan, 7-seater sedan, 7-seat town car
1919 Model D-5-40 6th 25.35 305 5-seater touring car, 3-seater roadster, 3-seater coupé
1920 Model E-40 6th 40 305 Roadster 3-seater, touring car 5-seater and 7-seater, sedan 5-seater, coupé 4-seater
1921 Model F-40 6th 40 305 5-seater touring car, 3-seater roadster, 4-seater coupé, 5-seater sedan
1921 Model F-42 6th 48 323 7-seater touring car, 4-seater special
1922 Model F-50 6th 50 305 5-seater and 7-seater touring cars, 3-seater roadster, 4-seater sports, 4-seater coupé, 5-seater sedan
1923 Model F-50 6th 50 305 Standard Phaeton 5-seat and 7-seat, Deluxe Phaeton 5-seat and 7-seat, Deluxe Roadster 3-seat, Deluxe Sport 4-seat

Car production figures

A total of almost 87,000 passenger cars were built, as can be seen in the table below.

year Production number
1903 50
1904 82
1905 315
1906 666
1907 1,377
1908 2,166
1909 2,946
1910 5,614
1911 5,813
1912 6.316
1913 3.813
1914 2,253
1915 6.230
1916 7,680
1917 10,938
1918 9,218
1919 10,873
1920 3,183
1921 4,430
1922 2,290
1923 713
total 86,966

Other sources indicate that only 100 vehicles were made in 1923.

literature

  • Beverly Rae Kimes, Henry Austin Clark Jr .: Standard catalog of American Cars. 1805-1942. Digital edition . 3. Edition. Krause Publications, Iola 2013, ISBN 978-1-4402-3778-2 , pp. 979-983 (English).
  • George Nicholas Georgano (Ed.): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile . Volume 2: G-O . Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, ISBN 1-57958-293-1 , pp. 1044-1045 (English).

Web links

Commons : Mitchell Motors Company  - Collection of Images, Videos, and Audio Files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Automobile Quarterly Year 32, Issue 1, pp. 62–75.
  2. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Beverly Rae Kimes, Henry Austin Clark Jr .: Standard catalog of American Cars. 1805-1942. Digital edition . 3. Edition. Krause Publications, Iola 2013, ISBN 978-1-4402-3778-2 , pp. 979-983 (English).
  3. ↑ a b c d e f George Nicholas Georgano (Ed.): The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile . Volume 2: G-O . Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago 2001, ISBN 1-57958-293-1 , pp. 1044-1045 (English).
  4. ↑ a b c d Lewis Miller's Mitchell Collection The History up to 1900 (English, accessed October 27, 2018)
  5. ^ Advertisement from 1898 for a carriage (English, accessed October 27, 2018)
  6. ↑ a b c d e f g h Timeline (English, accessed October 27, 2018)
  7. ^ Advertisement from 1902 for a motorcycle (English, accessed October 27, 2018)
  8. ↑ Beverly Rae Kimes, Henry Austin Clark Jr .: Standard catalog of American Cars. 1805-1942. Digital edition . 3. Edition. Krause Publications, Iola 2013, ISBN 978-1-4402-3778-2 , pp. 720 (English).
  9. ↑ a b c d e f Lewis Miller's Mitchell Collection The History from 1900 to 1916. (English, accessed October 27, 2018)
  10. ↑ Lewis Miller's Mitchell Collection The Story from 1916 onwards. (Accessed October 27, 2018)