FERGUS

Fergus Motors of America (1916-1922)

Newark, New Jersey

This is a Fergus radiator emblem (c1920)     sam
Size: 114mm high 48mm wide    MM: Unknown

The Fergus motor car chassis was shown at the New York Automobile Show in January 1916 and was well received. The Fergus had a number of innovative features, including rubber mountings for the engine and a complete automatic chassis lubrication system. 

Initially, the plan was to build the Fergus in Northern Ireland and import it into the US, but the First World War made that impossible. Instead, Fergus Motors of America was organized in New York City in 1916 and a factory was acquired in New Jersey.

Production was delayed due to war time material shortages and the Fergus was not shown again until 1920, by which time it had an 80 hp six-cylinder engine. But, in the post-war depression nobody bought the Fergus. Total Fergus production was just three cars, all of the chassis having been built in Ireland.

Emblem

The black enamel nickel plated Fergus radiator emblem shown above is extremely rare.  But, emblem collectors should beware, as there are reproduction Fergus emblems made in relatively thin brass plate with shiny flat backs and no maker's mark, see non-plated example shown below:

This is a reproduction Fergus emblem   mjs