Categories: This Day

September 22, 1893 – Duryea Brothers test first car

On this day in 1893, brothers Frank and Charles Duryea debuted their first automobile on the streets of Springfield, Massachusetts. That initial drive came to a sudden halt after just a few hundred feet when their self-engineered transmission failed. Frank made a slight adjustment to the design and had the car back up and running, covering a half a mile later in the day. This event is often regarded as the first time an American manufactured, gasoline powered car was driven in the country.

Above: Duryea Patent. Top: Duryea Brothers

They build a second Duryea Wagon in 1894, using it to enter the Chicago Times Herald race the next year. The Duryea completed the 54 mile course ahead of the pack, winning the first automobile race in America.

The Duryea Motor Wagon Company officially launched in 1896. That year, the company produced 13 identical vehicles. This marked was the first time a US business manufactured multiple copies of an automobile and placed them for sale. One could call it the first mass-produced automobile in America, depending on the chosen definition of the term. However, the brothers’ partnership began to fizzle, jeopardizing any chances of success in the new auto industry.

1894 Duryea. The oldest known Duryea to survive. By Infrogmation CC BY-SA 3.0

By the end of the century, the brothers split ways over differences in the handling of business finances. Frank went on to partner with gun maker Stevens to produce the Stevens-Duryea until 1927. Charles continued to produce Duryea vehicles until 1917 from a factory in Reading, PA.

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

October 31, 1957 – The Chevrolet Impala is announced

After debuting an Impala show car at the 1956 GM Motorama, Chevrolet used the name…

4 days ago

October 30, 1911 – Little Motor Car Company is founded, later becomes part of Chevrolet

The Little Motor Car Company, founded on October 30, 1911, in Flint, Michigan, is a…

4 days ago

October 29, 1932 – Safarikar builder Bruce Mohs is born

Bruce Mohs with his Opera Sedan following its restoration. (autobild.de) Perhaps you've heard of the…

6 days ago

October 28, 1977 – Tokyo Motor Show opens

First generation Daihatsu Charade. By Charles01 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 The annual Tokyo…

1 week ago

October 27, 1937 – Second generation Cadillac V-16 is introduced

1940 Cadillac V16 90 Town Car To build the ultimate automobile, Cadillac began development of…

1 week ago

October 26, 1966 – Toyota introduces what will become the best selling car ever, the Toyota Corolla

1966 Toyota Corolla debut (Toyota) The Toyota Corolla, one of the most iconic and enduring…

1 week ago