Stephens Motor Car Company

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Stephens Motor Car Company
legal form Corporation
founding 1915 (Stephens Motor Branch)
1922 (Stephens Motor Car Co.)
resolution 1924
Reason for dissolution Production task / profitability
Seat Freeport , Stephenson County , Illinois , USA
management Matthew A. Steele
Branch Automobiles

The Stephens Motor Car Company was an American automobile manufacturer that continued production of the Stephens automobile introduced in 1916 by the Moline Plow Company from 1922 to 1924 . The company has been controlled by John North Willys since 1918 , who did not integrate it into Willys-Overland , but the Willys Group . The passenger cars of this brand belong to the upper class of the time and had to be sold temporarily at prices of the upper middle class . The company was temporarily controlled by John North Willys, who did not take an active part in the management. The brand name was Stephens ; there is no known connection to the other manufacturer of automobiles of the same name as the British Stephens (1898).

Company history

Background: Moline Plow Company

The Moline Plow Company was created in 1870 from the Candee & Swan Implement Company in Moline ( skirt Iceland County , Illinois ). The company specialized in the production of plowshares and other equipment for agriculture and has earned a good reputation. A second mainstay were horse buggies . In 1882 the company's vice president, George W. Stephens , acquired a majority stake in the company. Under his leadership, the company developed into an important regional provider and also grew by taking over smaller competing companies.

Motor vehicles

Moline universal tractor in the four-cylinder version Model D, built from 1918

The first motorized plow was built in 1915 . In the same year a tractor manufacturer was taken over with Universal Tractors . It was built as Moline Universal until 1923. It was also around this time that the development of a mid-range car began with which the company should be better utilized. There is no connection to the Moline Automobile Company , founded in 1904 . The construction of tractors and automobiles were independent of each other.

Stephens Motor Branch

Stephens Salient Six in Horseless Age magazine , April 1, 1918. The new sedan of the 70 series is also on display

The automotive industry was approached modestly and above all out of the need to diversify production and thus compensate for a decline in agricultural machinery production. This was communicated quite openly to the outside world. For this purpose, the subsidiary Stephens Motor Branch was set up at the end of 1915 ; its managing director was Matthew A. Steele , who had already gained experience building carriages. He organized the premises, machines and equipment for production. The team also included chief engineer John T. Trumble , who had previously held the position at two Flint, Michigan- based automakers, Monroe Motor Company and Chevrolet Motor Company (which at the time was not yet part of General Motors ). The staff was completed by the chief draftsman John A. Holden and the stenographer Mrs. Tice . The experienced engineer Edward T. Birdsall was responsible for the design of the automobile . He was a founding member and first secretary of the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) and was responsible for a number of designs for various manufacturers. Most recently, he developed a four-cylinder passenger car for patent attorney George Baldwin Selden's automotive company , the Selden Motor Vehicle Company in Rochester (New York) .

Stephen's automobiles, and especially the Salient Six, were considered quality products. There are sources that derive the brand name from the owner of Moline Plow , George W. Stephens, others refer to his son and successor as president, GA Stephens. The name Stephens Motor Branch appears only in early advertisements; from 1919 at the latest, Stephens Motor Works was used as the name .

In February 1916, Stephens received two chassis manufactured according to Birdsall's specifications at a special company in Detroit for testing. One of them was possibly equipped with a four-cylinder engine; however, such a version did not go into series production. In March 1916, the company moved to Freeport (Illinois) to where Moline Plow the former facilities of the carriages - and wagon manufacturer Co. John W. Henney & took over. The systems were also suitable for the construction of car bodies, which Stephens made himself. It is unlikely, however, that Stephens also bodyed third-party vehicles. It appears that many former Henney employees moved to Stephens, including office manager Preston A. Boyd (1892-1959); After the closure of Stephens, he went back to Henney and became Vice President and Sales Manager.

Production started in 1916 for the 1917 model year. The only model was initially the Stephens Six Series 60 with a six-cylinder Continental Model 7W engine . At first it was only available as a touring . At the turn of the year 1916/1917 a variant as a roadster followed . Both cost only US $ 1,150, although their bodies were handcrafted. In the middle class in terms of price , this was a very attractive offer, but the low prices could not be maintained in the long term. An outwardly little changed successor appeared in August 1917 as the Salient Six Series 70 . The new model was slightly longer and had an overhead valve six-cylinder of R & V . The roadster and the first closed Stephans, a 5-seater sedan , were only offered in the 1918 model year; however, both reappeared in series 80 in 1920. Instead, there was a four-seater Touring with upscale equipment in 1919 as a forerunner of the attractive Foursome - Phaeton . The price for a basic 5-seater Touring rose to US $ 1485.

Willys

John North Willys (photo from 1917)

John North Willys from Willys-Overland took over 51% of the parent company Moline Plow in September 1918 and thus also controlled the Stephens Motor Branch . As president and general manager of Moline Plow followed Frank G. Allen on George Peek . Willys did not integrate the company into its Willys Overland group. At Moline Plow , around 80% of senior executives retained their positions, and little changed in the management of the Stephens Automobile Branch .

The Salient Six belonged to the upper middle class at the time and was an attractive offer there. The vehicle remained technically almost unchanged throughout its production time; the most significant adjustment after the change of ownership concerned the expansion of the body range to three Touring with 4, 5 or 6 seats and a four-seater Victoria , which meant a Touring with better weather protection. The roadster was discontinued and prices rose to US $ 1675.00 by 1975.

The Moline Plow Company bought in 1920 with Root & Vandervoort its by far the most important engine suppliers. This company had recently generated up to 80% of its sales with Moline Plow orders.

For the Salient Six Series 80, which was built from 1920 to 1922, there was again a longer wheelbase and a revised delivery program, which for the first time also included closed bodies in addition to two roadsters (US $ 1975.00 each) and a Touring (US $ 2050.00). The 3-seat coupé and the 5-seat sedan cost US $ 3050 each. The coupe was only offered in 1920.

Stephens suffered a slump in sales as early as the autumn of 1920, to which the plant responded with discounts on unsold vehicles in stock. The models for 1921 became more expensive: US $ 2,400 for the open version and US 3400 for the now 6-seater sedan. The coupe was omitted. It can no longer be determined whether there was a marketing concept behind it or whether the management acted under sheer cost pressure, but the attempt to establish the vehicle in the luxury class simply by raising prices clearly failed. The distinguishing feature from 1921 on is a new, square logo on the radiator grille. In the upper part it shows the letter "S" as a stylized lightning bolt and below the lettering Stephens .

Moline Implement Company

John Willys ran into serious financial problems shortly after taking over R&V, which was due to the over-indebtedness of his profitable companies. He had invested too much and taken out large loans. When a labor dispute broke out and a brief but severe recession set in, he was forced to allow the Willys-Overland Group to reorganize . It was carried out very successfully by former General Motors vice president and Buick boss Walter P. Chrysler . However, Willys was forced to part with large parts of his group. This also included the Moline Plow Company (which in turn had sales problems) along with its daughters R & V and Stephens . This change of ownership probably led to the reorganization as Moline Implement Company . Peek's successor as President and General Manager was Frank G. Allen (1858-1940), who held this position for many years.

Stephens Motor Car Company

Stephens Salient Six Series 90 Roadster (1922)

In the course of the above-mentioned restructuring, the Stephens Motor Branch became independent in 1922 as the Stephens Motor Car Company . How the new company was financed is unclear. However, Moline Plow had announced that she wanted to concentrate on the core business of agricultural machinery. There hardly seems to have been any changes in the management , which could indicate a management buyout .

The Stephens Salient Six Series 90 for model year 1922 was technically hardly changed. In its last year of production, however, it received most of the body variants. The prices have been drastically reduced and some models have sportier versions with steps instead of continuous running boards and optionally wire-spoke wheels or fashionable full-disc wheels. The resulting Foursome - Phaeton and Roadster are considered the most attractive Stephens .

For 1923 there was the first and only facelift for the Stephens . The name Salient Six was dropped; the new models were called Six (1923) resp. 6-20 (1924). The engine now made 59 bhp (44 kW) at 2750 rpm and there was, at least in 1923, the choice between two wheelbases with 117 inches (Series 10, 2972 ​​mm) or. 124 in. (Series 20, 3150 mm). Series 10 received a "pointed cooler" in the style of the German Benz , Series 20 a mask that was derived from the Salient Six and was somewhat reminiscent of Reo . In 1924 it was continued with the structurally identical 6-20 , Series 10 was dropped. Automobile production ended completely in the first half of 1924. Henney bought back his old systems at the end of the year and produced automobile bodies there until 1954, mainly ambulances and hearses.

In 1929, Moline Implement merged with the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Company ( Twin City tractors) and the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Company in the Minneapolis-Moline Implement Company . This was taken over by White in 1963 ; the brand name Minneapolis-Moline ( MM ) was discontinued in 1974.

market

In the upper class you could hardly get past the Packard Single Six , here as a runabout model 133 (1922)

The automotive market was dominated in an unprecedented way by the Ford Model T in the early 1920s . In 1920 a touring cost US $ 575; In 1924 there were 122 automakers in the United States. The largest six built no less than 85% of all new cars and by far the most important of these was Ford with a total share of 55%. In other words, every second car made in the US was a Model T.

In the years prior to 1930, automobile manufacturers operating more regionally were not uncommon; Many of the small producers lacked the financial means to set up and maintain a national or even international sales organization. Stephens was one of the bigger ones, with annual output in the four-digit range. The export share is likely to have been tiny, which also explains that the brand is practically unknown in Europe. Nevertheless, the Six in the middle class at the time and the Salient Six in the upper middle class were competitive offers. The professional management and a seriously designed and solidly manufactured vehicle with a body of above-average quality had a positive effect.

The first vehicles were completed in 1916 but assigned to the 1917 model year. The prices of US $ 1150 each for the two variants with a Continental engine were very attractive. Unfortunately, product improvements such as the engine with hanging valves, longer chassis and more body styles resulted in significantly higher prices.

positioning

With advertisements like "Somewhere West of Laramie" ("Somewhere west of Laramie", 1923) Jordan sold his product similar to Stephens

A Stephens cost about half as much as a Du Pont , Pierce-Arrow , Packard Twin Six , Lincoln , Locomobile or Duesenberg Model A . Comparable vehicles at lower prices were u. a. the Chalmers , Chandler Hudson , Jackson , Jeffery (from 1917 Nash ), Oldsmobile , Reo or Studebaker .

There were a number of competitors within Stephen's reach: Cadillac , Cole , Daniels , Lexington , Moon , Peerless or, towards the end of production, the Packard Single Six . Sales for the comparable but more expensive Jordan skyrocketed in 1918 (over 8,000 units) after receiving the same Continental six-cylinder that Stephens had just given up on. The cause is probably related to the rather old-fashioned marketing at Stephens.

A Lincoln Model L Touring - a top-of-the-range V8 model - cost from US $ 4,600 when the brand was launched in 1921. At a time when V8s were increasingly being offered in this price range, such as Cadillac, Cole, Daniels, Jackson, Peerless or Oldsmobile, it was increasingly detrimental to call the car an “obvious six-cylinder” (“Salient Six”).

The Stephens was designed in a market niche that had a promising future. The numerous competitors had also recognized this, and many middle class manufacturers produced top models that also scratched the upper class. Buick, Oldsmobile and Studebaker are among those still known today . Traditional luxury car manufacturers like Packard began to offer cheaper models “from above”, Peerless switched to this segment entirely. In 1924, the year Stephens disappeared from the market, the newly founded Chrysler Corporation clearly demonstrated that there was great market potential in this price segment: The six-cylinder Chrysler B-70 saw the most successful market launch of a new model for decades.

Some representatives of the US upper class

  • Peerless Model 56 7-passenger Touring (1917) at US $ 1995.-

  • Daniel's Model A Touring (1917). A 72 bhp V8 for US $ 2350

  • Advertisement for the Franklin Model 9-B with an air-cooled six-cylinder engine (1921). The sedan cost US $ 3,600.

  • Chalmers Six Touring (1922) for US $ 1295 .- (5 pl.) - 1395.- (7 pl.)

  • Cadillac Type 61 (V8) 7-passenger Phaeton (1922)

  • HCS Series 4 Type 4 (1923) built by Harry C. Stutz similar to the Stephens Foursome with "helmet" fenders, steps and wire-spoke wheels.

  • Successful model: Chrysler B-70 Touring (1924)

brand model body Cyl. Performance bhp List price comment
Ace Ace Six Model H. Touring R6 68 US $ 2050 Prize 1921
Ace Ace Scout Model L Touring R6 59 US $ 2260 Prize 1922
Buick Six Series 40 Touring, 5-pl. R6 60 US $ 1795
Buick Six Series K K-49 4dr Touring, 7-pl. R6 60 (NACC) US $ 1795
Cadillac Type 61 Touring, 7-pl. V8 80 US $ 3940
US $ 3150
US $ 2885		 Price reductions
Cole Aero Eight 890 Touring, 7-pl. V8 80 US $ 2485
Daniels Model C Touring V8 72 US $ 3750 Prize 1919
Daniels Model D Touring V8 90 US $ 2350 Price 1921–1922
Franklin Model 9-B Touring, 5-pl. R6 US $ 2750 Price 1920; 1921: US $ 2,600
Handley Knight Model A Touring, 7-pl. R4, slider 48 US $ 2985 Price 1920–1921
HCS Series IV, Model 4 Touring, 5-pl. R4 52 US $ 2200 Price 1923–1924
HCS Series VI, Model 6 Touring R6 80 US $ 2650 Price 1923–1924
Jordan Four Touring, 4/7-pl. R4 US $ 1995 Prize 1918
Jordan Model M Playboy Phaeton 4-pl. R6 56 US $ 2095 Touring too for the same price (1922)
Packard Single six Touring, 5-pl. R6 52 US $ 2485
Packard Twin Six Series 3 Touring, 5-pl. V12 90 US $ 3835
Reo T-6 Touring, 5-pl. R6 50 US $ 1650
Revere Model C Touring, 4-pl. R4 100 US $ 4650 Prize 1921

advertising

The first brand slogans (for the Six ) were The Car with a Punch (“The car with power”) and Best by Test . After the introduction of the model name Salient Six , the term Salient (“obvious”, “obvious”) was increasingly referred to , for example with Salient in Value - Salient in Service. (Series 70), or Salient beauty that catches the attention at once. (Series 80). Apparently, one was not entirely sure whether the term would be understood correctly, because occasionally in advertisements even the Webster was quoted, a dictionary very well known in the USA : That is Salient which is strikingly manifest or which catches the attention at once. ( Salient is what is obviously there or immediately attracts attention. ”) The Series 90 brochure advertised: Power - Beauty - Economy - Reliability .

With the introduction of the two Six Series 10 and 20 , the tone became more direct. It should now be conveyed that there were two new model lines and that Stephens were again cheaper: Seven New Stephens Body Types. $ 1295 now Price of Touring car for Five. or Announcing a New Line of Motor Cars at lower Prices.

Stephens were also shown at US auto shows, such as the New York Automobile Show , which was then held in the fall , in Philadelphia and in Chicago .

technology

Although many of the components were manufactured specifically for Stephens, the public perceived the vehicle as an assembled vehicle , i.e. a car that was put together from purchased components. There were dozens of such brands; hardly any of them lasted a long time and their products (including trucks or tractors) were often seen as of inferior quality. This is often wrongly, as demonstrated by Argonne , Biddle , Cole , Daniels , Handley-Knight , Kenworthy , Meteor , Revere , Richelieu or Roamer .

The Stephens was also very seriously designed and solidly built. Technically, it was inconspicuous, its six-cylinder engines with 55, 57 and later 59 bhp were class standard in terms of performance. The Salient Six's overhead engine was interesting . Only a few independent manufacturers of assembled cars in this price segment (such as the Ace or the Handley-Knight ) were also able to come up with similarly elaborately crafted bodies.

The following models were made between 1916 (model year 1917) and 1924:

engine

The water-cooled six - cylinder engine was initially purchased from Continental . It was a conventional, side-controlled in- line engine of the type 7-W , as it was also used by Abbott , Anderson , Columbia , Davis or Elcar . The 7-W has 224.0 in³ (3670 cm³) displacement with a 3¼ inch bore and 4½ inch stroke . This engine developed 55 bhp (41 kW) at 2400 rpm. and was in use until July 1917. After that, Stephens switched to a more advanced drive. Because Root & Vandervoort Engineering Company (R&V) already supplied most of the engines for Moline Plow Company's agricultural equipment , this experienced engine builder was a natural choice for Stephens too. Moline Plow took it over in 1920 .

The R & V six-cylinder was overhead steering and had the same dimensions as the Continental 7-W . It too had a triple-bearing crankshaft . The performance is specified by the factory with 57 bhp at 2600 and from 1922 with 59 bhp at 2750 / min. The NACC rating was 25.3 hp. In 1920 Stephens changed the performance specifications of his vehicles. This resulted in a nominal correction of 25.35 PS according to NACC to a more realistic 57 bhp without any changes to the engine. The cylinder head was removable.

The Fedders water cooler was part of the thermosiphon cooling . There was also an Oakes fan with a ball-bearing fan. Stephens used both Tillotson - as Stromberg - downdraft carburetor , fed by Stewart vacuum -Benzinförderung. The air supplied to the engine was previously passed through ducts in the cylinder head , in which it was heated by the exhaust gases. The manufacturer said that bad fuels would also be “cracked” and optimally burned. In order to avoid overheating of the motor, the process was controlled by separate cooling channels connected to the water circuit.

The electrical 6-volt system was operated by a USL battery with 113 Ah. Ignition, starter and lighting were initially supplied by Delco , as was the semi-automatic ignition adjustment, which was operated with a slide control on the steering wheel. Connecticut and AutoLite ignition systems were also used at times .

The NACC rating based on the cylinder bore results in a value of 25.3 hp for both engine types, which in Great Britain also corresponds to the applicable approach for taxable hp ; This value says nothing about the actual engine performance.

Power transmission

Stephens had the three-speed transmission with reverse gear built according to his own plans. A ball bearing mounted output shaft was mentioned as a special feature. The 10 inch diameter dry disc clutch was obtained from Borg & Beck . The vehicle had cardan drive, the ratio on the Timken rear axle with spiral-toothed bevel and ring gear on the differential was 4.45: 1.

Chassis and suspension

The chassis consisted of a conventional pressed steel - ladder frame with five cross beams, each with a twist tube front and rear, ie trusses in the form of round tubes on the chassis ends. Typical of the time, there were rigid axles at the front and rear that hung on leaf springs. These were at least temporarily obtained from Mather . The steering was provided by Gemmer , braking was carried out by drums on the rear axle.

The wheelbase changed several times:

  • 115 in (2921 mm): Six Series 60, 1916-1917
  • 118 in. (2997 mm): Salient Six Series 70, 1918-1919
  • 122 in (3099 mm): Salient Six Series 80 and 90, 1920-1922
  • 117 in. (2972 mm): Salient Six Series 10, 1923
  • 124 in (3,150 mm): Six and 6-20 Series 20, 19123-1924

Most of the Stephens received wooden spoke artillery wheels measuring 32 × 4½ inches with a removable rim from Stanweld and Fisk Cord tires. For the Six Series 60 (1916–1917) and Six Series 10 (1923) the dimension 32 × 4 inches is occupied. Some roadsters and Phaeton (called "Victoria", "Sport" or "Foursome") were optionally delivered with Houk wire-spoke wheels or new types of solid disc wheels; At least the former seem to have been optionally available for other models, as the corresponding factory images suggest.

Completed chassis were given an emergency seat and were extensively tested before they were connected to their body. These test drives took place on public roads in the vicinity of the plant because there was no test site of their own, a procedure that was common with many manufacturers at the time.

The Six’s 115-inch wheelbase turned out to be too short to be accepted by the market. After that, Stephen's length grew with each series; even the smallest, Six Series 10 , stayed above that mark. There is a parallel here to the much better known Packard Single Six , which also only sold satisfactorily after the introduction of a longer wheelbase.

body

The body was a special feature . It was manufactured by Stephens himself using the principles of individual body construction in elaborate manual work, so it can be described as semi-custom . The only difference to the full custom is that the design is included in the purchase price; the bodybuilder can only use it for this one job. In the case of semi-custom , the plans and rights remain with the contractor, who makes as many copies of them as he can sell. These are the same in technical and craftsmanship; With regard to the choice of materials and color design, the customer could of course also make requests here.

Moline Plow had a lot of experience in coach construction, the methods of which are closely related to the early body construction. The production facilities were bought from the Henney Motor Company ; During this change at the beginning of 1916, many specialists from Henney came to Moline Plow , so that a high-quality execution was guaranteed.

The body structure consisted of well-stored hardwood reinforced with iron elements and was planked with sheet steel. The sheet metal parts were driven by hand .

With the model years, the body variants offered also changed. Only the Touring was practically continuously available (except 1919) , often in up to four different versions. From 1919, each series received at least one sedan . Phaeton and Roadster were at times (certainly from Series 90 ) particularly sporty-looking versions with “helmet” fenders, cast-iron and nickel-plated steps instead of continuous running boards and wire-spoke wheels from the Houk brand, popular at the time ; they were completely removable.

Overview of body styles

model Roadster Touring Foursome
Victoria		 Coupe Coach Sedan (4-door)
Six Series 60 (1917) $ 1050–1185.- $ 1050–1185.- - - - -
Salient Six Series 70 (1918) $ 1485.- - - - - -
Salient Six Series 70 (1919) - $ 1675-1775.- $ 1975.- - - $ 1985.-
Salient Six Series 80 (1920) $ 1975.- (2) $ 2050.- - $ 3050.- - $ 3050.-
Salient Six Series 80 (1921) $ 2400.- $ 2400.- (2) - - - $ 3400.-
Salient Six Series 90 (1922) $ 1800–1900.- $ 1850.- (2) 1950.- - ? $ 3400.- (2?)
Six Series 10 (1923) $ 1345.- $ 1295.- - - $ 1595.- $ 1950.-
Six Series 20 (1923) - $ 1685.- $ 1985.- ("Sports") - - $ 2385.-
6-20 Series 20 (1924) - $ 1585.- $ 1750.- ("Sports") - - $ 2250.-

Painting

The painting was very complex - not just because of the technology available. The paint was sprayed on in 21 layers. After each painting process, the paint had to dry, then it was sanded and the next layer applied. The application took place alternately horizontally and vertically, which was carefully recorded. This working method required a lot of space in halls protected from the weather, dust, insects and other external influences. The paint itself was made in Freeport according to a secret recipe that could not be reproduced by other manufacturers. The painting process for a vehicle took 30 days.

Furnishing

The extensive basic equipment a part hall - central chassis lubrication , a Stewart Tacho to 75 mph (120 km / h), an electric horn, air intakes in front of the windshield, a transmission lock from being stolen, a Boyce - Motometer and Kellogg -Reifenpumpe.

At least in advertising, Stephens automobiles appear with Houk wire-spoke wheels, so that an option in this regard can be assumed. In some particularly sporty models, they were standard equipment or, alternatively, full disk wheels.

Model overview

model construction time engine Displacement
in³ / cm³		 Power
bhp / kW / min		 Wheelbase in / mm body List prices
US $
Six
Series 60		 1916-1917 R6 sv , Continental 224.0 / 3670 55 / 41.0 at 2400 115/2921 Roadster
Touring 		1150
Salient Six
Series 70		 1918-1919 R6 ohv , R & V 224.0 / 3670 57 / 42.5 at 2600 118/2997 Roadster (1918)
Touring
Victoria (1919)
Sedan (1918)		 1485-1975
Salient Six
Series 80		 1920-1921 R6 ohv, R & V 224.0 / 3670 57 / 42.5 at 2600 122/3099 Roadster
Touring
Victoria
Coupe (1920)
Sedan		 1800-3050
Salient Six
Series 90		 1922 R6 ohv, R & V 224.0 / 3670 57 / 42.5 at 2600 122/3099 Roadster
Touring
Victoria
Sedan
 1800-3400
Six
Series 10		 1923 R6 ohv, R & V 224.0 / 3670 59 / 44.0 at 2750 117/2972 Roadster
Touring
Coach (?)
Sedan
 1295-1950
Six
Series 20		 1923 R6 ohv, R & V 224.0 / 3670 59 / 44.0 at 2750 124/3150 Touring
Sport / Foursome
Sedan
 1685-2385
6-20Six
Series 20		 1924 R6 ohv, R & V 224.0 / 3670 59 / 44.0 at 2750 124/3150 Touring
Sport / Foursome
Sedan
 1585-2250

A Model 93 Sedan was announced in the Salient Six Series 90 sales brochure , but does not appear in the model list in the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942 .

Likewise, a “Touring Sedan for five” was announced in an advertisement from February 1923 for the Series 10 and in another it was shown with a price (US $ 1595), without being mentioned in the specialist literature. Obviously, the manufacturer called a coach “Touring Sedan” .

The designation Foursome for the Sport Phaeton is certainly proven from Series 20 (1923).

Production numbers

Model year number of pieces
1917 1,337
1918 1,867
1919 2,193
1920 3,780
1921 3,536
1922 2,064
1923 3,156
1924 1,213
Total 19,146

The adjacent production figures by model year are based on information from automotive historians Beverly Rae Kimes and Henry Austin Clark, Jr. in the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 . Accordingly, 1,337 Six and 17,809 Salient Six (including Six Series 10 and 20) would have been produced. 1917 therefore contains the Six completed in the previous year; In 1924, production ended in the middle of the calendar year.

There are also estimates that put a total of 25,000 to 35,000 units.

Consumption competitions and regularity drives

Stephens did not get involved in racing, but the brand often did very well in consumption competitions and used these results in its advertisements and brochures. Specifically, in 1922 sales records stated that Stephens automobiles had taken seven economy tests and won five of them. The consumption would have been between 19 and 24 miles per gallon (MPG) corresponding to 9.8 to 12.4 l / 100 km. Indications of good results in consumption and reliability trips can also be found in advertisements.

Stephens today

The Stephens brand is almost forgotten today. There are three Salient Six known in Europe, one Roadster each in France and Switzerland and one Touring in Sweden. Of course, there are other copies in the USA. There is a Stephens Owner Register .

Remarks

  1. ^ Copies of advertisements are available for 1916–1923 (except 1918); Stephens Motor Branch can also be found in the 1922 sales brochure.
  2. ↑ The notation Continental 7-W is used according to William Wagner: Continental !: Its Motors and its People , Aero Publishers (1982), ISBN 0-8168-4506-9 . Alternatively, the spelling Continental 7W is also common.
  3. ↑ Predecessor formula for SAE-PS . NACC ( National Automobile Chamber of Commerce ) was an association of the automobile industry founded in 1913 and the successor to the ALAM ( Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers ), which introduced the first standards in US automobile manufacture in 1903. The method was also used by the RAC in Great Britain .
  4. ↑ To make work easier after a flat tire, only the removable wheel rim and tires were replaced, the hub and wooden spokes remained on the vehicle. Such wheels were common in the 1910s and 1920s.
  5. ↑ Many of the then important automobile manufacturers started out as coach builders
  6. ↑ The name is derived from her profile view, which is reminiscent of an ancient helmet. "Helmet" fenders are pulled down to a level below the chassis and are slightly flared.
  7. ↑ Depending on the source
  8. ↑ Depending on the source
  9. ↑ Some sources point to a 2-door and 4-door sedan; it is unclear whether the two-door was actually built.

literature

  • Beverly Rae Kimes (Editor), Henry Austin Clark Jr.: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942. 3. Edition. Krause Publications, Iola WI (1996), ISBN 978-0-87341-428-9 ISBN 0-87341-428-4
  • Beverly Rae Kimes: Pioneers, Engineers, and Scoundrels: The Dawn of the Automobile in America. Published by SAE ( Society of Automotive Engineers ) Permissions, Warrendale PA 2005, ISBN 0-7680-1431-X
  • Tad Burness: American Car Spotter's Guide, 1920-1939 ; MBI Motorbooks International, Osceola WI (1975), ISBN 0-87938-026-8
  • William Wagner: Continental !: Its Motors and its People , Aero Publishers (1982), ISBN 0-8168-4506-9 , ISBN 978-0-8168-4506-4
  • Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers ALAM ( National Automobile Chamber of Commerce ; Inc. NACC): Handbook of Automobiles 1915-1916 Dover Publications, Inc .; Reprint (1970)
  • Vincent Curcio: Chrysler: The Life and Times of an Automotive Genius ; 1st edition (2000); Oxford University Press; ISBN 0-19-514705-7 , ISBN 978-0-19-514705-6
  • Stephens Motor Works (Ed.): Achievement: Stephens Salient Six (sales brochure, 1922)
  • Stephens Motor Branch of Moline Plow Co: Stephens Six. Best by test. (Sales advertisement Series 60, Motor Age , February 8, 1917, p. 59; Fig .: Touring 5 Pl.)
  • Horseless Age, Vol. 43 No. 7, April 1, 1918, p. 27: Stephens Salient Six ; Report.
  • Moline Plow Company, Stephens Motor Works: Stephens Salient Six (sales advertisement Series 80, Motor Age , November 6, 1919, p. 282; ill .: Coupé 3-4 Pl. With wire-spoke wheels)
  • Moline Plow Company, Stephens Motor Works: Stephens Salient Six. Salient in Value - Salient in Service. (Sales advertisement Series 70, Literary Digest , December 6, 1919, p. 107; Ill .: Victoria)
  • Stephens Motor Works of Moline Plow Company: Stephens Salient Six. Salient beauty that catches the attention at once. (Series 80 sales advertisement, The Saturday Evening Post , October 16, 1920, p. 156; Ill .: Sedan)
  • Stephens Motor Works of Moline Plow Company: Economy - Stephens Salient Six. (Sales advertisement Salient Six Series 80, 1920–1921, The Saturday Evening Post , publication date unknown; Fig .: Touring Series 80, 1920–1921)
  • Stephens Motor Cars: Seven New Stephens Body Types. $ 1295 now Price of Touring car for Five. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, The Saturday Evening Post , February 17, 1923, p. 100; Fig .: Touring Series 10)
  • Stephens Motor Cars: Announcing a New Line of Motor Cars at lower Prices. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, no information on publication; Fig .: Foursome Series 20)
  • Stephens Motor Cars: Range, Speed, Distinction United in Touring Sedan at $ 1595. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, no information on publication; Fig .: Touring (2-Dr) Sedan Series 10)
  • Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader : The International Automobile Encyclopedia . United Soft Media Verlag, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-8032-9876-8 .

Web links

Commons : Stephens  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, p. 1395 (Stephens).
  2. ↑ trombincars.com: Stephens Salient Six Roadster (1922)
  3. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Willys-Overland-Knight-Registry: Stephens History
  4. ^ Willys Overland Knight Registry: R&V, R&V Knight, Moline, Moline Knight History
  5. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Genealogy Trails, Alice Horner: Freeport Home to Stephens Car
  6. ↑ a b Old Cars Weekly: Stephens brought fine car building to Midwestern farmland
  7. ↑ a b coachbuilt.com: Henney
  8. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, pp. 1395-1396 (Stephens).
  9. ↑ a b c d e f Stephens Motor Cars: Seven New Stephens Body Types. $ 1295 now Price of Touring car for Five. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, The Saturday Evening Post , February 17, 1923, p. 100; Fig .: Touring Series 10)
  10. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, p. 582 (Ford Model T; 1920).
  11. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, pp. 270-273 (Chalmers).
  12. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, pp. 274-275 (Chandler).
  13. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, pp 722-748 (Hudson).
  14. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 775-779 (Jackson).
  15. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 782-783 (Jeffery).
  16. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 1014-1031 (Nash).
  17. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 1059-1088 (Oldsmobile).
  18. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 199-200 (Cadillac).
  19. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, pp. 350-354 (Cole).
  20. ↑ a b c Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, p. 413 (Daniels).
  21. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 861-863 (Lexington).
  22. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 994-999 (Moon).
  23. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 1159-1166 (Peerless).
  24. ↑ a b Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 1116 (Packard Twin Six).
  25. ↑ a b Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 790 (Jordan).
  26. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, p. 867 (Lincoln Model L; 1921).
  27. ↑ a b c Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 609 (Franklin Model 9-B; 1920-1921).
  28. ↑ a b Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, p. 15 (Ace).
  29. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, p. 172 (Buick Series 40).
  30. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, p. 171 (Buick Series K).
  31. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, p. 214 (Cadillac Type 61).
  32. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, p. 353 (Cole Aero 8).
  33. ↑ a b Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 674 (Handley-Knight).
  34. ↑ a b Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 692-693 (HCS).
  35. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 791 (Jordan Model M).
  36. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 1117 (Packard Single Six).
  37. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 1282 (Reo T-6).
  38. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, SS 1286-1287 (Revere).
  39. ^ Stephens Motor Branch of Moline Plow Co .: Stephens Six. Best by test. (Sales advertisement Series 60, Motor Age , February 8, 1917, p. 59; Fig .: Touring 5 Pl.)
  40. ^ A b Moline Plow Company, Stephens Motor Works: Stephens Salient Six. Salient in Value - Salient in Service. (Sales advertisement Series 70, Literary Digest , December 6, 1919, p. 107; Ill .: Victoria)
  41. ^ A b Stephens Motor Works of Moline Plow Company: Stephens Salient Six. Salient beauty that catches the attention at once. (Series 80 sales advertisement, The Saturday Evening Post , October 16, 1920, p. 156; Ill .: Sedan)
  42. ↑ Stephens Motor Works: Achievement: Stephens Salient Six (Series 90 sales brochure, 1922)
  43. ↑ a b c d Stephens Motor Cars: Announcing a New Line of Motor Cars at lower Prices. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, no information on publication; Fig .: Foursome Series 20)
  44. ↑ Kimes, Clark: Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. 1996, p. 14 (Ace).
  45. ↑ a b c Wagner: Continental !: Its Motors and its People , p. 19
  46. ↑ a b classiccardatabase.com: Standard Specifications 1918 Davis HI & K Series
  47. ↑ a b c d carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Model 60 (1917)
  48. ^ NACC: Handbook of Automobiles 1915–1916 (Reprint 1970), p. 212
  49. ↑ a b c d e f Willys Overland Knight Registry: Stephens Six Series 10 and 20 (1923-1924); technical data (factory information)
  50. ↑ a b Burness: American Car Spotter's Guide, 1920-1939 (1975), p. 257
  51. ↑ a b c d Stephens Motor Works: Achievement: Stephens Salient Six (sales brochure, 1922)
  52. ↑ a b Stephens Motor Cars: Range, Speed, Distinction United in Touring Sedan at $ 1595. (Sales advertisement Six Series 10 + 20, no information on publication; Fig .: Touring (2-Dr) Sedan Series 10)
  53. ↑ carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Salient Six Model 75 (1918)
  54. ↑ carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Salient Six Model 84 (1919)
  55. ↑ carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Salient Six Model 84 (1921)
  56. ↑ a b carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Salient Six Model 18
  57. ↑ carfolio.com: Specifications Stephens Salient Six Model 24
  58. ↑ a b Moline Plow Company, Stephens Motor Works: Stephens Salient Six (sales advertisement Series 80, Motor Age , November 6, 1919, p. 282; ill .: Coupé 3-4 Pl. With wire-spoke wheels)
  59. ↑ Horseless Age, Vol. 43, no. 7, April 1, 1918, p. 27: Stephens Salient Six. (Report)
  60. ↑ Karla A. Rosenbusch: Automobile Quarterly Volume 33, Issue 3.
  61. ^ Stephens Motor Works of Moline Plow Company: Economy - Stephens Salient Six. (Sales advertisement Salient Six Series 80, 1920–1921, The Saturday Evening Post , publication date unknown; Fig .: Touring Series 80, 1920–1921)