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Marion (automobile)

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Marion Motor Car Company
IndustryAutomobile Manufacturing
Founded1904; 120 years ago (1904)
Defunct1915; 109 years ago (1915)
FateMerger
SuccessorMutual Motors Corporation
HeadquartersIndianapolis, Indiana
Key people
John N. Willys, Fred Tone, Robert Hassler, Harry C. Stutz
ProductsAutomobiles
Production output
7,158 (1904-1915)

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]

History

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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]

Models

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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
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  • 1905 Marion Model Four Advertisement
  • 1911 Marion Model Seven Roadster
  • 1911 Marion "Victories" Advertisement
  • 1914 Marion Bobcat & Roadster Brochure

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Georgano, Nick (2001). The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile (3 vol. ed.). Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. ISBN 1-57958-293-1.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n 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.
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