Haynes

US, 1904 – 1925

(1) The Haynex-Apperson Co, Kokomo, Ind., 1904 – 1905

(2) Haynes Automobile Co, Kokomo, Ind., 1905 – 1925

Elwood Haynes built his original single-cylinder Haynes car of buggy type in 1894. In 1898, with the Apperson brothers, he formed the Haynes-Apperson Automobile Co. In 1902, the Appersons and Haynes separated, although both companies remained in Kokomo. From June 1904 the cars were called either Haynes-Apperson or Haynes, while the company name was still Haynes-Apperson. This was officialy changed to Haynes Automobile Company in September 1905.

The first production models of the Haynes car (in 1904) were powered by 2- and 4-cylinder engines, sliding-gear transmissions and shaft drive. Only 4-cylinder engines were used in the years 1905 – 1913. In 1912, three chassis were built, with a total of eight body types. In 1914, Haynes Model 26 was fitted with a 6-cylinder engine, and in 1915 an electric gear change was standard on the larger chassis. For 1916, Haynes car advanced to a 12-cylinder engine of 5.8-litres. This large engine was made by Haynes and continued to be manufactured through 1922, with no changes in bore or stroke. The chassis varied in wheelbase during the post-World War 1 period from 10 to 11ft. The prices for the various Haynes car models dropped from $4.200 for a seven-seater limousine in 1920, to $3.200 in 1925 for a five-seater sedan. Body styles in the Haynes car range were conservative, although one close-couples four-seater coupé with distinctive lines was made in 1923, and a special Haynes Speedster, a two-seater roadster with wire wheels and attractive styling was introduced in 1921.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GMN

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DeSoto

US, 1913 – 1916

DeSoto Motro Car Co, Auburn, Ind.

The DeSoto appears to have succeeded the Zimmerman. This was a large car with a 55hp, 6-cylinder engine, which was furnished with a compressed-air starter. The DeSoto model Six-55 five-seater touring car sold for $2185.

US, 1928 – 1960

Chrysler Motors Corp, Detroit, Mich.

The DeSoto was launched in 1928 as a 3.2-litre side valve six to compete with Oldsmobile, Pontiac and the cheaper Nashes. Styling and general design of the DeSoto were in line with the 1929 Chryslers, and at $885 for a DeSoto sedan 90.000 were sold in the first twelve months. A 3.4-litre straight-8 DeSoto on a 9ft 6in wheelbase was announced for 1930 as the world’s cheapest 8-cylinder car. However, DeSoto suffered badly in the Depression, and in 1932, when flexible rubber engine mountings and free wheels were made available, sales dropped to 26.000 DeSoto cars.
The DeSoto disappeared from the British market about this time, though certain ‘Chrysler’ models listed in England (the Mortlake, Croydon, and some of the Richmonds) were in fact DeSoto cars in all but name. A 6-cylinder version of Chrysler’s advanced unitary-construction Airflow, the SE-type with a 4-litre engine, was brought out in 1934, but was an unsuccessful as its bigger sister. Later DeSotos followed regular Chrysler lines closely though in later years there was a tendency for DeSoto to move into a higher price class than Dodge; by 1952 DeSotos started $300 higher than the companion make.
By 1939 the DeSoto cars for sale were being made with independent front suspension, hypoid back axles and column change. There was a choice at DeSoto of two 6-cylinder engines and three wheelbase lengths, the longest of these being reserved for seven-seater bodywork – DeSoto continued to offer a really roomy family car right up to 1954. A 4-speed semi-automatic Vacumatic transmission became an option in 1941, but DeSoto’s big post-war change of models did not take place until 1952, when the division followed Chrysler’s lead in adopting the oversquare ohv V8; the DeSoto version was of 4½-litre capcity and developed 16-bhp. With the advent of Chrysler’s ‘flight sweep’ styling in 1955, the side-valve sixes were dropped and the standard engine in a DeSoto was now a 4.8-litre eight, giving 185bhp in Firedome guise, and 200bhp in Fireflite form. Though this redesigning saved Chrysler sales generally, the slump in the medium-price class had an adverse effect on DeSoto and in 1959 the DeSoto division was merged with Plymouth. Last of the DeSotos were the 1961 models, unitary-construction cars with a choice of three engines: Plymouth’s 145bhp ohv ‘slant six’ as used in the Valiant, and V8s of 230 and 265bhp, the two former only in Canadian DeSotos. Production of DeSoto cars ceased in November 1960 after only a few had been delivered.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS
The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com