Company:Owen (automobile)

From HandWiki
Owen Motor Car Company
TypeAutomobile manufacturer
IndustryAutomotive
FateSold
SuccessorREO Motor Car Company
Founded1910; 114 years ago (1910)
Defunct1912; 112 years ago (1912)
HeadquartersDetroit, Michigan,
Key people
Ralph R. Owen, Angus Smith, Frank E. Dodson
ProductsAutomobiles
Short description: Defunct American motor vehicle manufacturer

The Owen was a brass era luxury automobile built in Detroit, Michigan by the Owen Motor Car Company from 1910 to 1912.[1]

History

The Owen designed by Ralph Owen was a luxury automobile with a 50-hp, 425 cubic inches (6.96 L) four-cylinder engine. It had progressive features such as left-hand steering, a central gear change, and was placed on a lowered chassis with 42-inch tires, which gave it a similar appearance to the Oldsmobile Limited.[2] The touring car style sold for $3,200 (equivalent to $87,806 in 2019) while the limousine cost $4,800, equivalent to $131,709 in 2019.[1]

Ralph Owen contracted with his brothers Raymond M. Owen to market the car through the R. M. Owen & Company. The company were dealers for the Reo Motor Car, and Reo decided to purchase the Owen Motor Car Company. Reo finished constructing 35 Owen automobiles and then closed the company. The Owen factory was sold to the Krit Motor Car Company.[1]

In 1912, Ralph Owen began work on a new car that would become the Owen Magnetic.[1][2]

Advertisements

References