LONG DISTANCE

US Long Distance Automobile Co. (1901-1903)
Jersey City, New Jersey

This is a US Long Distance nameplate (1903)   ms
Size: Unknown

The U.S. Long Distance Automobile Company was established in early 1900 but production was initially concerned with marine engines. The Long Distance automobile appeared in April 1901 and was offered in single-cylinder, two-cylinder and three-cylinder models with water-cooled engines, chain drive and tiller steering. A steering wheel replaced the tiller in 1902. 

The Long Distance was a well designed and well built automobile and was successful. The company became the Standard Motor Construction Company in January 1904 and, thereafter, all automobiles produced were called Standard.

Emblems

The Long Distance did not have a radiator and did not carry an emblem.

The "Long Distance" name was displayed on a painted U.S. Long Distance nameplate, which included a serial number, see example shown above. This U.S. Long Distance nameplate was attached to the body of the vehicle and is very rare.

The Long Distance also displayed a patent plate attached to the car body or under the driver's seat, see example shown below. This U.S. Long Distance patent plate is rare.

This is a U.S. Long Distance patent plate (c1903)    mjs
Size: 76mm wide 50mm high

A surviving Long Distance automobile also displays a brass "Long Distance" script on the engine cover, see below:

Long Distance script on engine cover (1903)      ms

However, this is script is unlikely to be original and was most likely added much later during restoration.