2008 Chicago Auto Show

h =7 2008 Chicago Auto Show

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Welcome to the Chicago Auto Show's 100th Showcase.

We are proud to be the first auto show anywhere in the world to celebrate its 100th edition. This display is a recreation of our first show at the Chicago Coliseum in 1901. In it you will see cars that were displayed in shows of the early 1900s.

Why 100 Shows in 107 years? During World War II, the auto industry played a major part in winning the war by retooling its factories to make tanks, airplanes and other armaments. The effort was all-encompassing, and no new automobiles were produced during the war. For a short period after the allied victory, the demand for new cars and trucks was so great Auto Shows were not needed to increase sales. The 1950 Chicago Auto Show was the first to be produced in the postwar period.

Here's hoping it will only take us to 2108 to celebrate our 200th edition!

The Gilmore Car Museum at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show

1904 Autocar Runabout - The Autocar Company - Ardmore, Pa.

"Cannot Blow up or Burn up"

Engine: 2 Cylinder - Weight: 1175 lbs - Production: 523 - HP: 10hp - Wheelbase: 70" - Factory Price: $900.00

First car to offer more than a single cylinder and to use a drive shaft rather than chain drive. Had a reputation for being well-made, reliable and easy to operate. Commercial vehicles and trucks were added to the Autocar line in 1908. By 1911 Autocar had produced its last passenger car and began focusing completely on commercial vehicles. Today, Autocar is known for its semi-tractors.

1905 Franklin Gentleman's Runabout - H H Franklin Mfg. - Syracuse, NY

"Steady and Reliable"

Engine: Air-cooled 4 Cylinder - Weight: 1000 lbs - HP: 12hp - Wheelbase: 80" - Factory Price: $1400.00

The most unique feature of the Franklin was its use of an air-cooled engine rather than the typical liquid cooled. Known for its reliability and its superior ride, the Franklin was produced from 1902-1934 and became America's most successful air-cooled powered automobile. In 1904 a Runabout like this made a cross-country trip from New York City to San Francisco in just 33 days, cutting the previous records of Winton and Packard nearly in half.

The Franklin air-cooled motor was later used in aircraft. After the company closed in 1934 it was purchased and reopened by two employees as Aircooled Motors. Many helicopters (like those seen in the opening credits of M.A.S.H.) made by Bell, Heller and others used "Franklin" Aircooled Motors. In 1947, Preston Tucker purchased Aircooled Motors and used them in the futuristic, rear-engined Tucker '48 that was built at the former Dodge Chicago Plant on Cicero Ave. Today, the home of the Ford City Mall.

1903 Oldsmobile Curved Dash

Engine: 95cid, L-Head 1 cylinder - Weight: 650 lbs.- HP: 4.5 hp @ 500 rpm- Wheelbase: 66" - Factory Price: $650.00

The curved dash Oldsmobile was the world's first mass-produced vehicle, with 425 built in its first year of production(1901). In 1903 more than 3,900 Curved Dashes were produced, making Oldsmobile America's largest automaker. Before production ended three years later, nearly 20,000 of the light and simple machines were produced.

Powered by a single cylinder engine and steered by a tiller, early models had only an emergency brake for stopping. The body was made of wood, supported on a frame attached to a cantilever spring system. Steel fenders and a folding carriage top were options.

As testimony to the popularity of the Curved Dash, it became the subject of a popular song of the day. "In My Merry Oldsmobile", written in 1905 by Gus Edwards, was not only the first song about a car, it has become the most enduring.

1906 Orient Buckboard - Waltham Manufacturing Company - Waltham, Massachusetts

"The Cheapest Automobile in the World - Everyone should Have One!"

Engine: 1 Cylinder Air-cooled - Weight: 525 lbs. - Production: 500 - HP: 4 hp - Wheelbase: 80" - Factory Price: $400.00

In 1893 Waltham Manufacturing produced its first vehicle, the Orient brand bicycle. They entered the automotive field in 1905 with the introduction of the inexpensive Buckboard. The simple automobile featured a natural oak body, bicycle style tires, tiller steering and a friction drive which required no shifting of gears. Promoting the Buckboard as a car of "utmost simplicity" the company claimed, "even a ten year old can fully understand and operate it."

1903 Columbia Electric Runabout - Electric Vehicle Company - Hartford, Ct.

" A Presidential First"

Motor: General Electric 40 Volt, 30 Amp. - Mileage: 40 miles per charge - Wheelbase: 64" - Factory Price: $850.00

In the fall of 1902, President Teddy Roosevelt became the first American president to ride in an automobile -- a brand new 1903 Columbia Electric. He also later became the first president to purchase a car, fly in an airplane and ride in a submarine.

Used 20 - 2 cell Edison batteries. Owners had large rack battery chargers.

The Key is knob with copper to make electrical connection under the seat.

Easy to operate - no crank starting, no fumes, no mess. Popular with women.

Tiller Steering - Push lever on left to go - 3 forward speeds, one back.

Top Speed 14 mph (down hill!) - Steel reinforced oak frame - Fenders made of leather.

Most Americans did not have electricity in 1903. This car was popular in cities like Denver.

Columbia introduced the electric headlight and taillight in 1898.

Columbia was best known for its bicycles - Began building electric cars in 1897 - but later found gasoline cars more profitable.

They purchased the "Selden patent for the gasoline automobile" and received royalties on all American made gas cars -- Until Henry Ford took them to court.

Columbia was out of business by 1911.

1903 Stevens-Duryea - J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company - Chicopee Falls, Ma.

Engine: 2 Cylinder - Production: 483 - Wheelbase: 69" - HP: 5 hp - Serial #: 373 - Factory Price: $1,300.00

Brothers Charles and Frank Duryea of Chicopee Falls, MA. are credited with building America's first gasoline-powered automobile in 1893. By 1895 Charles had received the first U.S. patent for an auto. Frank won the nation's very first car race and the pair organized America's first auto manufacturer. 1896 was the first year of production for the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, but within two years the brothers dissolved their company and went their separate ways. In 1901, Frank Duryea partnered with J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company, a local firearms manufacturer, and began producing the Stevens-Duryea auto. Charles moved to Reading, PA., found a new business partner and began production of a new version of the Duryea.

1903 Ford Model A Runabout - Ford Motor Co. - Dearborn, MI.

Ford Motor Company's Very First Year of Production!

Engine: 2 Cylinder (by Dodge) - Production: 670 - Wheelbase: 72" - HP: 8HP - Serial #: 574 - Factory Price: $950.00

The optional rear-entrance Tonneau seat, which could carry two additional passengers, simply bolts into place.

The Ford Motor Company was Henry Ford's third attempt to enter the new horseless carriage business. After leaving his second failed car company The Henry Ford Company investors renamed the firm Cadillac and produced a 1903 model that closely mimicked the 1903 Ford.

The engines and chassis (less body, tires and wheels) of the new Fords were built and supplied by the Dodge Brothers Machine Shop. Henry Ford didn't have the money to pay them, so he gave them 10% of the shares in his fledgling auto company. They soon became the world's largest supplier of auto parts until Ford squeezed them out. In 1914 they began to build Dodge Brothers Motor cars, which was acquired in 1928 by W. P. Chrysler, former president of Buick Motors.

1909 Holsman - Holsman Automobile Company - Chicago, Illinois

The Original Sport Utility Vehicle!

Engine: 2 cylinder air cooled - Drive: Rope or Chain - HP: 12.8 hp - Wheelbase: 80" - Factory Price: $675.00

Built in Chicago from 1903 to 1910, the Holsman - known as a "Highwheeler" or "Motor Buggy" - was little more than a standard buggy powered by a small engine rather than a horse. This true "horseless carriage" evolved out of the need for a practical car that could be driven successfully over the incredibly poor roads of the period, which were "muddy, rutty, rough or rocky". The Highwheeler, with its very high clearance, lightweight and solid-rubber tires, could make the the many rural roads that often ranged between horrible to impassable.

Highwheelers usually resembled a standard buggy, came equipped with high, solid-tire wood-spoke wheels and a very simplistic 2 cylinder engine. There wasn't much to its operation and if it did break down the owner could tow it home with a horse and nobody would realize it was a Motor Buggy.

Highwheelers were one of the common types of automobiles in the very early days of motoring but became obsolete as roads improved and air-filled or pneumatic tires became more reliable.

Highwheelers hit their peek of their popularity in 1909. Notable Highwheelers built in Chicago include International Harvester, Ideal, Holsman and the Sears.

1899 Locomobile Runabout - The Locomobile Company - Watertown, MA.

The First New Car In Kalamazoo!

Engine: 2 Cylinder Steam, 14" Boiler - Production: 2,050 (7 Remaining) - HP: 5.5 hp - Wheelbase: 60" - Factory Price: $750.00

This 1899 Locomobile drew a curious crowd of onlookers when it arrived in Kalamazoo by train and became the city's very first "horseless carriage". Many considered the "new-fangled contraption" nothing more than a play-thing for the rich and a passing fad. Its new owner, Mr. Taylor, pulled it home by horse and began studying the instruction manual. Starting the car was complex and involved several steps to fire the boiler. You must heat the gas tube with a torch to allow it to vaporize gasoline and then light it! It takes about 30 minutes for the boiler to heat up and to have power. Today, we take "drivers' training" for granted, but Mr. Taylor had no such aid and would only move the car slowly forward and backward inside his barn. He was afraid to drive the "motor carriage" on the road for fear of hurting someone or scaring their horses.

Pioneer Doctor W.E. Upjohn, founder of Upjohn Pharmaceuticals (now part of Pfizer) and stepfather of Museum founder Donald Gilmore, visited Mr. Taylor and offered to drive the car. After taking several trips around the yard he offered to buy it, which he did, making it the first new and "used" car in Kalamazoo.

All Text is from Gilmore Museum Placards with few liberties