Ajax Motor Vehicle Company was a now-defunct American brass eraelectric car manufacturer established in New York City, which operated from 1901 until 1903. It produced the Ajax Electric car.[1] Its factory was located at 220 West 36th Street, just north of the famed Macy's Department Store in Manhattan.[1][2]
Historyedit
Ajax Motor Vehicle Company was formed by New York City brothers Walter Simpson and Alfred L. Simpson, with an initial capitalization of US$10,000.[2][3] They set up manufacturing in July 1901, in a factory located on Manhattan's West 36th Street, not far from Macy's.[1]
The company produced an open two-seat lightweight runabout that rode on narrow 28 inch wire wheels with pneumatic tires and optional mudguards.[4][5] It was originally priced at US$1,100, but later reduced to $850.[1][2] The frame of the car was similar to bicycle construction, with seamless-drawn steel tubing, joined by brazing into drop-forged lugs.[2] The 24V electric motor was rated at 1+1⁄2 bhp and had a chain drive to the rear axle and differential. Mechanical brakes were provided on both rear axle and motor. Steering was by a crosswise tiller to the left seat.[2]
Ajax had a display at the 1903 New York Auto Show, but closed later that year.[2] This may have been precipitated by the 1902 collapse in the US electric car market, following dubious selling of electric car stocks, and a high-profile accident to a racing Baker. No cars were sold outside New York City.[1]
The company's forearm and clenched fist logo predated the similar one used by Arm & Hammer.[1] They later used the slogan, "An Honest Automobile At An Honest Price".[2]
Today, a car in original condition could be worth in excess of $14,000.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdefgKimes, Beverly; Clark, Jr., Henry (1996). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. Krause Publications. p. 21. ISBN978-0873414289.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ abcdefg"The Ajax Electric Automobile & The Ajax Motor Vehicle Co". American Automobiles.
^Ingersoll, E.P. (Dec 31, 1903). The Horseless Age. Vol. 12. Horseless Age Company / Forgotten Books (reprint). p. 400. ISBN978-0666267009.
ajax, motor, vehicle, company, defunct, american, brass, electric, manufacturer, established, york, city, which, operated, from, 1901, until, 1903, produced, ajax, electric, factory, located, west, 36th, street, just, north, famed, macy, department, store, man. Ajax Motor Vehicle Company was a now defunct American brass era electric car manufacturer established in New York City which operated from 1901 until 1903 It produced the Ajax Electric car 1 Its factory was located at 220 West 36th Street just north of the famed Macy s Department Store in Manhattan 1 2 History edit nbsp 1903 Ajax Electric Runabout in print advertisementAjax Motor Vehicle Company was formed by New York City brothers Walter Simpson and Alfred L Simpson with an initial capitalization of US 10 000 2 3 They set up manufacturing in July 1901 in a factory located on Manhattan s West 36th Street not far from Macy s 1 The company produced an open two seat lightweight runabout that rode on narrow 28 inch wire wheels with pneumatic tires and optional mudguards 4 5 It was originally priced at US 1 100 but later reduced to 850 1 2 The frame of the car was similar to bicycle construction with seamless drawn steel tubing joined by brazing into drop forged lugs 2 The 24V electric motor was rated at 1 1 2 bhp and had a chain drive to the rear axle and differential Mechanical brakes were provided on both rear axle and motor Steering was by a crosswise tiller to the left seat 2 Ajax had a display at the 1903 New York Auto Show but closed later that year 2 This may have been precipitated by the 1902 collapse in the US electric car market following dubious selling of electric car stocks and a high profile accident to a racing Baker No cars were sold outside New York City 1 The company s forearm and clenched fist logo predated the similar one used by Arm amp Hammer 1 They later used the slogan An Honest Automobile At An Honest Price 2 Today a car in original condition could be worth in excess of 14 000 1 References edit a b c d e f g Kimes Beverly Clark Jr Henry 1996 Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805 1942 Krause Publications p 21 ISBN 978 0873414289 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link a b c d e f g The Ajax Electric Automobile amp The Ajax Motor Vehicle Co American Automobiles Ingersoll E P Dec 31 1903 The Horseless Age Vol 12 Horseless Age Company Forgotten Books reprint p 400 ISBN 978 0666267009 Phillips Lou April 11 2011 Cars 1895 1965 Xlibris p 51 ISBN 978 1456892937 Kimes and Clark p 20 photo Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ajax Motor Vehicle Company amp oldid 1169605006, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,