The Union automobile was a vehicle manufactured by the Union Automobile Company from 1902 until 1905. It was designed by John William Lambert, who had developed the three-wheel Buckeye gasoline buggy in 1891. Over the next decade, Lambert substantially refined the vehicle, with modifications including an additional wheel, a more powerful engine, and a new transmission system. The Union Automobile Company was formed as a subsidiary of Lambert's Buckeye Manufacturing Company solely to manufacture the Union, which took its name from Union City, Indiana, the city where it was built and which endorsed its production. In total, the company built over three hundred Union automobiles, before development shifted to the Lambert automobile, the Union's successor.
Union
John Lambert and brothers in 1902 'Union' automobile
The Union automobile was a modified design of a previous single-cylinder vehicle that John William Lambert had started producing in 1891 in Union City, Ohio.[1] Experimental models were produced in 1898, 1900, and 1901; the 1900 model was the first to feature Lambert's new transmission system.[2] Lambert, who had over six hundred patents for automobile-related parts, secured favorable concessions from the Union City chamber of commerce, in return for the vehicle being named after the city.[1][3] It would be produced there by the Union Automobile Company from 1902 until 1905.[1]
Manufactured from parts made by the Buckeye Manufacturing Company in Anderson, Indiana, the Union had entered full production by 1902, but improvements to the design were made yearly. In 1903, the motor, which consisted of a pair of opposed 6 x 4-inch (100 mm) cylinders, was moved from the front, where it had been initially placed, to the rear.[4] In 1904 and 1905, five-seater tonneau models were produced; while the 1904 model had a 10 horsepower engine, the company produced 12 and 16 horsepower versions the following year.[5]
Manufacturing of the automobile was moved from Union City to Anderson in 1905. Late that year, the car was redesigned, and production was started again under a new name: the Lambert automobile, while production of the union stopped entirely. In total, the company had manufactured 325 vehicles between 1902 and 1905 (25 in 1902, 50 in 1903, 100 in 1904, and 150 in 1905).[3]
1902 Touring car
1904 Runabout
Both images are of Union brand automobiles manufactured in Union City, Indiana.
Vehicle specificationsEdit
From top: the chassis; the motor; and the transmission system
Further information: Lambert friction gearing disk drive transmission
The operator of the Union automobile controlled the steering wheel with his right hand and the speed-changing lever, which allowed two speeds for forward movement and one for reversing, with his left. The variation in speed was permitted by the motor, which could be varied from 150 to over 1,500 revolutions per minute. The top speed of the automobile was 20 miles per hour (32 km/h).[6] The gasoline tank, which was hidden in the back of the seat, had a capacity sufficient to run the automobile for 125 miles (201 km) to 150 miles (240 km). The left foot controlled the handbrake; by throwing the transmission system into reverse, it operated as an emergency brake. This novel transmission system, which was connected by double chain to the rear wheels, was gearless, eliminating the jarring movements then associated with gear changes.[7][8]
The automobile's motor was devised by Lambert. Started by dry cell batteries, the four-cycle gasoline engine had two opposed cylinders that produced an initial eight horsepower. Both cylinders acted on one crankshaft, producing a balanced engine. After the engine was started, an electric magneto generator sparked the combustion of the gasoline in the cylinders to keep the motor in operation.[7] A gear from the camshaft drove a circulating pump which water-cooled the engine by means of a large radiator coil.[6]
The automobile, which had a 6-foot (1.8 m) wheelbase and a 56-inch (1,400 mm) axle track, was equipped with 34-inch (860 mm) wheels and 3.5-inch (89 mm) wide pneumatic tires and enameled sheet steel mud guards; kerosene oil lamps were additionally provided for evening travel.[6] In 1902 and 1903, a front seat was provided for two people, which could be closed up and the vehicle then used as a four person runabout vehicle. It cost $1,250 ($42,279 in 2022), with the option of a $25 dos-à-dos (rear-facing) seat which converted the car into a six-passenger vehicle.[3][7]
The final model produced by the Union Automobile Company was a 1905 Model E. Fitted with a detachable side entrance tonneau body, which sat three people, the car was upholstered to a high standard: genuine leather was used in combination with a soft insulation material and springs in both the seat cushions and the back.[9] It could hold up to five passengers, and was equipped with two oil lamps, a horn, and necessary maintenance tools, for a total price of $1200 ($39,084 in 2022) ($1125 without the tonneau).[9]
Union model E without tonneau
Union model E with a tonneau
Union model E delivery wagon
Union automobile Model E at different stages of style development.
Kimes, Beverly Rae (1996). Standard Catalog American Cars, 1804-1942. Krause Publications. ISBN9780873414289.
Further readingEdit
Bailey, L. Scott, Historic Discovery: 1891 Lambert, New Claim for America's First Car, Antique Automobile magazine, Vol. 24, No. 5, Oct–Nov 1960
Biography of John W. Lambert, written by his son January 25, 1935 — obtained from the Detroit Public Library, National Automotive History Collection
Dittlinger, Esther et al., Anderson: A Pictorial History, G. Bradley Publishing, 1990, ISBN0-943963-16-8
Dolnar, Hugh, Automobile Trade Journal, article: The Lambert, 1906 Line of Automobiles, Chilton Company, v.10 January 1906
Huffman, Wallace Spencer, Indiana's Place in Automobile History in Indiana History Bulletin, vol 44, no. 2, Feb. 1967; Indianapolis, Indiana Historical Bureau
Huhti, Thomas, The Great Indiana Touring Book: 20 Spectacular Auto Tours, Big Earth Publishing, 2002, ISBN1-931599-09-2
James, Wanda, Driving from Japan, McFarland, 2005, ISBN0-7864-1734-X
Madden, W. C., Haynes-Apperson and America's First Practical Automobile: A History, McFarland, 2003, ISBN0-7864-1397-2
Scharchburg, Richard P., Carriages Without Horses: J. Frank Duryea and the Birth of the American Automobile Industry, SAE, 1993, ISBN1-56091-380-0
October 16, 2023
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The Union automobile was a vehicle manufactured by the Union Automobile Company from 1902 until 1905 It was designed by John William Lambert who had developed the three wheel Buckeye gasoline buggy in 1891 Over the next decade Lambert substantially refined the vehicle with modifications including an additional wheel a more powerful engine and a new transmission system The Union Automobile Company was formed as a subsidiary of Lambert s Buckeye Manufacturing Company solely to manufacture the Union which took its name from Union City Indiana the city where it was built and which endorsed its production In total the company built over three hundred Union automobiles before development shifted to the Lambert automobile the Union s successor UnionJohn Lambert and brothers in 1902 Union automobileOverviewManufacturerUnion Automobile CompanyProduction300Model years1902 1905AssemblyBuckeye ManufacturingDesignerJohn William LambertDimensionsWheelbase72 in 1 829 mm Width56 in 1 422 mm ChronologyPredecessorBuckeye gasoline buggySuccessorLambert automobile Contents 1 Development 2 Vehicle specifications 3 See also 4 Footnotes 5 Sources 6 Further readingDevelopment EditMain article Union Automobile Company nbsp Lambert Union experimental carThe Union automobile was a modified design of a previous single cylinder vehicle that John William Lambert had started producing in 1891 in Union City Ohio 1 Experimental models were produced in 1898 1900 and 1901 the 1900 model was the first to feature Lambert s new transmission system 2 Lambert who had over six hundred patents for automobile related parts secured favorable concessions from the Union City chamber of commerce in return for the vehicle being named after the city 1 3 It would be produced there by the Union Automobile Company from 1902 until 1905 1 Manufactured from parts made by the Buckeye Manufacturing Company in Anderson Indiana the Union had entered full production by 1902 but improvements to the design were made yearly In 1903 the motor which consisted of a pair of opposed 6 x 4 inch 100 mm cylinders was moved from the front where it had been initially placed to the rear 4 In 1904 and 1905 five seater tonneau models were produced while the 1904 model had a 10 horsepower engine the company produced 12 and 16 horsepower versions the following year 5 Manufacturing of the automobile was moved from Union City to Anderson in 1905 Late that year the car was redesigned and production was started again under a new name the Lambert automobile while production of the union stopped entirely In total the company had manufactured 325 vehicles between 1902 and 1905 25 in 1902 50 in 1903 100 in 1904 and 150 in 1905 3 nbsp 1902 Touring car nbsp 1904 RunaboutBoth images are of Union brand automobiles manufactured in Union City Indiana Vehicle specifications Edit nbsp nbsp nbsp From top the chassis the motor and the transmission system Further information Lambert friction gearing disk drive transmission The operator of the Union automobile controlled the steering wheel with his right hand and the speed changing lever which allowed two speeds for forward movement and one for reversing with his left The variation in speed was permitted by the motor which could be varied from 150 to over 1 500 revolutions per minute The top speed of the automobile was 20 miles per hour 32 km h 6 The gasoline tank which was hidden in the back of the seat had a capacity sufficient to run the automobile for 125 miles 201 km to 150 miles 240 km The left foot controlled the handbrake by throwing the transmission system into reverse it operated as an emergency brake This novel transmission system which was connected by double chain to the rear wheels was gearless eliminating the jarring movements then associated with gear changes 7 8 The automobile s motor was devised by Lambert Started by dry cell batteries the four cycle gasoline engine had two opposed cylinders that produced an initial eight horsepower Both cylinders acted on one crankshaft producing a balanced engine After the engine was started an electric magneto generator sparked the combustion of the gasoline in the cylinders to keep the motor in operation 7 A gear from the camshaft drove a circulating pump which water cooled the engine by means of a large radiator coil 6 The automobile which had a 6 foot 1 8 m wheelbase and a 56 inch 1 400 mm axle track was equipped with 34 inch 860 mm wheels and 3 5 inch 89 mm wide pneumatic tires and enameled sheet steel mud guards kerosene oil lamps were additionally provided for evening travel 6 In 1902 and 1903 a front seat was provided for two people which could be closed up and the vehicle then used as a four person runabout vehicle It cost 1 250 42 279 in 2022 with the option of a 25 dos a dos rear facing seat which converted the car into a six passenger vehicle 3 7 The final model produced by the Union Automobile Company was a 1905 Model E Fitted with a detachable side entrance tonneau body which sat three people the car was upholstered to a high standard genuine leather was used in combination with a soft insulation material and springs in both the seat cushions and the back 9 It could hold up to five passengers and was equipped with two oil lamps a horn and necessary maintenance tools for a total price of 1200 39 084 in 2022 1125 without the tonneau 9 nbsp Union model E without tonneau nbsp Union model E with a tonneau nbsp Union model E delivery wagonUnion automobile Model E at different stages of style development See also EditLambert Automobile Company Lambert Gas and Gasoline Engine CompanyFootnotes Edit a b c Union City History Archived from the original on 2011 07 07 Retrieved 2008 12 19 Dolmar Hugh 1906 The Lambert 1906 Line of Automobiles Automobile Trade Journal Chilton Company 10 225a a b c Kimes 1996 p 1487 Georgano V1 2000 p 853 Georgano V2 2000 p 1642 a b c The Union Automobile The Horseless Age Horseless Age Company 10 701 1902 a b c The Union Convertible Runabout Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal Chilton Company 7 170 1903 America s first car wreck doomed Ohio automaker Palladium Item Richmond Indiana January 22 1995 p 22 via Newspapers com nbsp a b The Union Convertible Runabout Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal Chilton Company 9 126 129 1905 Sources EditGeorgano V1 G N 2000 Beaulieu Encyclopedia of Automobile Volume 1 Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers ISBN 9781579582937 Georgano V2 G N 2000 Beaulieu Encyclopedia of Automobile Volume 2 M Z Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers ISBN 1 57958 293 1 Kimes Beverly Rae 1996 Standard Catalog American Cars 1804 1942 Krause Publications ISBN 9780873414289 Further reading EditBailey L Scott Historic Discovery 1891 Lambert New Claim for America s First Car Antique Automobile magazine Vol 24 No 5 Oct Nov 1960 Biography of John W Lambert written by his son January 25 1935 obtained from the Detroit Public Library National Automotive History Collection Dittlinger Esther et al Anderson A Pictorial History G Bradley Publishing 1990 ISBN 0 943963 16 8 Dolnar Hugh Automobile Trade Journal article The Lambert 1906 Line of Automobiles Chilton Company v 10 January 1906 Huffman Wallace Spencer Indiana s Place in Automobile History in Indiana History Bulletin vol 44 no 2 Feb 1967 Indianapolis Indiana Historical Bureau Huhti Thomas The Great Indiana Touring Book 20 Spectacular Auto Tours Big Earth Publishing 2002 ISBN 1 931599 09 2 James Wanda Driving from Japan McFarland 2005 ISBN 0 7864 1734 X Madden W C Haynes Apperson and America s First Practical Automobile A History McFarland 2003 ISBN 0 7864 1397 2 Scharchburg Richard P Carriages Without Horses J Frank Duryea and the Birth of the American Automobile Industry SAE 1993 ISBN 1 56091 380 0 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Union automobile amp oldid 1145596667, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
