Automobile Company of America
New York, New York (1899-1900)
Marion, New Jersey (1900-1902)
This is a Gasmobile nameplate (c1900) mjs Size: 85mm wide 50mm high |
The Automobile Company of America introduced its first cars in 1899 under the names of American or American Voiturette but changed the name to Gasmobile in 1900. The Gasmobile was a well made vehicle. In 1900 it won all contests staged for gasoline vehicles at the Automobile Club of America's show at Madison Square Garden, and. in 1901, a Gasmobile won first prize in the Long Island Endurance Contest.
The first Amercan Gasmobiles in 1899 were 3 hp single-cylinder cars offered in runabout and phaeton body styles. By 1902, there was a wide variety of Gasmobile models, including three-cylinder rear mounted models and four-cylinder front mounted models, with horsepower ranging from 9 hp to 25 hp. This wide range of different models contributed to the demise of the Gasmobile.
By November 1901 a total of 140 cars had been produced. At the New York Automobile Show in January 1902, the company exhibited a six-cylinder prototype but this never reached production. In March 1902 the company was bankrupt.
Emblem
The Gasmobile did not carry an emblem but from 1900 did display the "Gasmobile " name on a brass nameplate/serial plate, see example shown above. This Gasmobile nameplate is extremely rare.
I do not know, if there was a different Gasmobile nameplate after the move to New Jersey. If such a nameplate did exist, it would also be extremely rare.
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