Marion_(automobile)
Marion (automobile)
Defunct American motor vehicle manufacturer
The Marion was an automobile produced by the Marion Motor Car Company in Indianapolis (Marion County), Indiana from 1904 to 1915.[1][2]
Marion was also used for prototype automobiles in 1901 by the Marion Automobile Company of Marion, Ohio, which later operated as a garage.[2] A Marion Flyer was listed in 1910 by the Marion Automobile & Manufacturing Company in Marion, Indiana, but no production was reported.[2]
In 1904 the Marion Motor Car Company, based in Indianapolis,entered automobile production building mid-priced to high-priced automobiles.[1]
Early versions of the Marion car had transversely-mounted 16-hp Reeves air-cooled engines, and double chain drive. The appearance of the Marion car was very similar to the contemporary Premier (also an Indianapolis car).[2][1] 1906 Marion cars had conventionally-placed 16 and 28-hp 4-cylinder Reeves engines, while later Marion cars used water-cooled engines by Continental and other firms of up to 48-hp.[2][1]
Automotive engineers and designers, Robert Hassler, Fred Tone, George Schebler and Harry C. Stutz produced or designed models for Marion.[2] Motor car racing was actively undertaken to provide recognition for Marion. Beginning in 1907 Harry Stutz was chief engineer for Marion. He designed a roadster named the Bobcat Speedster, which bore a close resemblance to the contemporaneous Stutz Bearcat Speedster.[1][2]
John N. Willys, President of Overland Automobile Company, bought controlling interest in Marion in October, 1908. The Marion Motor Car Company remained under-capitalized until 1912, when capital stock was raised from $100,000 to $1,125,0000. J. I. Handley, president of American Motor Car Company became President of Marion Motor Car Company and combined their sales organizations.
In 1914 J.I. Handley purchased the assets of the Marion Company for $120,000.[2] In December 1914, J.I. Handley's Mutual Motors Company resulted from a merger between Marion Motor Car Company and Imperial Automobile Company of Jackson, Michigan. Marion production was moved to Jackson, but ended in 1915. In 1916, the Marion-Handley became the automobile offered by Mutual Motors.[2]
The Marion Motor Car Company manufactured 7,158 automobiles in all.[2]
A prototype Marion roadster with a 9,455cc V12 engine was designed by George Schebler of carburetor fame, and built in the Marion factory in 1908.[2][1]
In 1910, Harry C. Stutz developed his idea for a factory-built speedster called the Bobcat. They were designed as minimalist, stripped down vehicles that were fitted with the most powerful engine offered by Marion. The wheelbase measured 111-inches, had two-wheel mechanical brakes, and sold for $1,475, (equivalent to $48,233 in 2023). The Marion Bobcat Speedster was produced from 1911 through 1914.[2][1]
Marions were available as touring cars or roadsters, and from 1911 as sedans and coupes.[2]
Marion Models:[2]
| Model | Model Years | Engine | Horsepower | Wheelbase (inches) | Factory Price (US$) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four | 1904–1905 | 4-cylinder | 16 hp (11,8 kW) | 96" (2438 mm) | 1,500 |
| 2 | 1906 | 4-cylinder | 16 hp (11,8 kW) | 96" (2438 mm) | 1,500 |
| 5 | 1906 | 4-cylinder | 28 hp (20,6 kW) | 108" (2743 mm) | 2.500 |
| 7 | 1907 | 4-cylinder | 24 hp (17,6 kW) | 100" (2540 mm) | 2,000 to 3,000 |
| 8 | 1908–1909 | 4-cylinder | 24 hp (17,6 kW) | 102"-104" (2591–2642 mm) | 2,250 |
| 9 | 1908–1909 | 6-cylinder | 35 hp (26 kW) | 102"-112" (2642–2845 mm) | 1,850 to 2,750 |
| 10 | 1910 | 4-cylinder | 35 hp (26 kW) | 112" (2845 mm) | 1,850 |
| 30 | 1911 | 4-cylinder | 30 hp (22 kW) | 110" (2794 mm) | 1,000 to 1,200 |
| 40 | 1911 | 4-cylinder | 40 hp (29 kW) | 115" (2921 mm) | 1,600 to 1,650 |
| Four-30 | 1912 | 4-cylinder | 30 hp (22 kW) | 111" (2819 mm) | 1,150 to 1,285 |
| Four-45 | 1912 | 4-cylinder | 45 hp (33 kW) | 120" (3048 mm) | 1,750 |
| 37-A | 1913 | 4-cylinder | 40 hp (29 kW) | 112" (2845 mm) | 1,475 |
| 48-A | 1913 | 4-cylinder | 48 hp (35 kW) | 120" (3048 mm) | 1,850 |
| B | 1914 | 4-cylinder | 25 hp (18,4 kW) | 117" (2972 mm) | 1,650 to 2,150 |
| G | 1914–1915 | 6-cylinder | 33 hp (24 kW) | 124" (3150 mm) | 2,150 to 2,950 |
- 1905 Marion Model Four Advertisement
- 1911 Marion Model Seven Roadster
- 1911 Marion "Victories" Advertisement
- 1914 Marion Bobcat & Roadster Brochure
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- Georgano, Nick (2001). The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile (3 vol. ed.). Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.
- Kimes, Beverly Rae; Clark Jr., Henry Austin (1996). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 (3rd ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87341-428-9.