Locomobile

The Locomobile Company of America was founded by A.L. Barber and J.B. Walker and was based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The name "Locomobile" was coined from the words locomotive and automobile. Locomobile began by producing steam powered autos, leasing a motor design from Stanley Steamer[?]. The steam Locomobiles were unreliable, and the company started experimenting with gasoline internal combustion engines in 1902, and ended making steam vehicles the following year.

Locomobile soon became known for well built and speedy luxury cars. A Locomobile was the first United States built auto to win an international motor race, taking the Vanderbilt Cup[?] in 1908.

In 1922 Locomobile was aquired by Durant Motors[?], which continued using the Locomobile brand name for their top-of-the-line autos until 1929.

External Links

• 1906 Locomobile (http://www.ddavid.com/formula1/loco.htm) The story of the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup win
• Locomobile Catalog on DurantCars site (http://www.durantcars.com/catalogs/locomobile/index.shtml) 1920s Locomobiles
• Locomobile items on Henry Ford Museum site (http://www.hfmgv.org/collections/Collections/library/business/locomobile.asp)