Soules (automobile)

Soules Motor Car Company
Automobile Manufacturing
Industry Automotive
Genre Touring Cars and Commercial Cars
Founded 1905
Defunct 1908
Headquarters Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Area served
 United States
Products Vehicles
Automotive parts

The Soules Motor Car Company was founded in 1905 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were manufacturers of Soules automobiles and light delivery trucks[1] until 1908.[2]

History

Soules Motor Car Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan was established in 1905[1] and produced pleasure cars and commercial vehicles. They had a sales office and showroom located at 736 to 740 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan.[3]

The company produced a 2,000 pounds (910 kg) truck that was for "light delivery work in towns and cities in the field best suited for this little machine with its high motor power." The truck had a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour (40 km/h) to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) with its full load capacity.[1]

During 1905, the company contracted with the Michigan Automobile Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan to manufacture 25 of the light delivery cars and noted that "in case these meet with ready sale an order for 300 similar cars will be placed." The cars were a "novelty" in the commercial line as they were "extremely light" at 1,250 pounds (570 kg). They were meant to run at a speed of 15 miles per hour (24 km/h).[1]

Another national advertisement listed the automobile specifications in 1906 in a detailed list. The price of the car was US$1,800 and it came with an open, detachable top, or closed with wire side panels. The capacity was 2,000 pounds (910 kg) and the frame was constructed of angle steel. The brakes had an internal and external rear hub and the tires were 32-inch (810 mm) by 3-inch (76 mm) and 34-inch (860 mm) by 2.5-inch (64 mm). It had a 2-cylinder, opposed in front and was water-cooled with a thermo-siphon system. The ignition was jump spark with a double coil and it had a cone clutch that was "leather faced." The transmission was sliding gear and it had two forward and a backward speed and bevel gear drive. The wheel base was 90-inch (2,300 mm) and the tread was 56-inch (1,400 mm). The vehicle weighed 2,000 pounds (910 kg).[3]

The 1906 delivery wagon had an improved 2-cyliner opposed motor delivering 20-horsepower at normal engine speed. Drive was by shaft to bevel gear on rear axle and the transmission was sliding gear giving two forward speeds and one reverse. The truck came with solid tires and had a capacity of 1,500 pounds (680 kg). The price was US$1,500.[1]

Company management

The company was organized in 1905 with H. G. Dykehouse as president, David Wolf as secretary and treasurer, and J. E. Soules as manager.[1]

Advertisements

Soules Motor Car Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan - 1905
Soules Motor Car Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan - Commercial Wagons - 1906
Soules Motor Car Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan - 1906

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Soules vehicles.
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Realm of the Commercial Car - Soules Light Delivery Wagon. Motor Age, Volume 8 - 1905. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Car Make Brand Index". Classic Car Show International, 2011. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
  3. 1 2 Soules. Modern Motor Cars, March 1906, pg.108. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
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