Mitchell

US, 1903 – 1923

(1) Mitchell Motor Car Co, Racine, Wisc., 1903 – 1910

(2) Mitchell-Lewis Motor Co, Racine, Wisc., 1910 – 1916

(3) Mitchell Motors Co Inc, Racine, Wisc., 1916 – 1923

Mitchell and Lweis had been wagon builders since 1834, and their first Mitchell car was a light two-seater powered by a 7hp air-cooled 2-cylinder engine, using single chain drive, and priced at $1.200. In 1905 a 9hp engine was used on the Mitchell car, and air or water cooling was available. 4-cylinder engines of 18 and 30hp appeared in the 1906 Mitchell car range, and in 1907 shaft drive was employed on all Mitchell car models. Until 1910, 20 and 35hp fours were made, having pair-cast cylinders in 1910 when they were joined by a 50hp 6-cylinder Mitchell car. In 1913 a new range of T-head engines was introduced in a Mitchell car designed by René Petard and known as the ‘American-built French car’. A 40hp four and 50 and 60hp sixes were made in this Mitchell car range, which had high-cowled torpedo-style bodies and electric starters. Piston strokes were very long at 7 inches. At this time it was said that the Mitchell car company made 96% of all components. In 1916 a short-lived Mitchell 48hp V8 was made, and the following year the Mitchell car company settled down to making a range of conventional sixes of no great distinction. In 1920 a sloping radiator gave rise to the epithet, ‘the drunken Mitchell’ and this was hastily replaced by a vertical radiator for 1921. However, the company had lost a lot of money on their 1920 Mitchell car models, and few of the redesigned Mitchell cars were sold, as they lacked any distinctive qualities.

The 6-cylinder engines of the Mitchell car had acapacity of 4.7-litres. After production ceased in 1923, the Mitchell car factory was bought by Nash.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GNG

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Murray

US, 1902 – 1903

Church Mfg Co, Adrian, Mich.

The Murray car was a light runabout on similar lines to the Curved Dash Oldsmobile, built by a former Olds engineer. The Murray car had a 6hp single-cylinder water-cooled engine, epicyclic gearbox and single chain drive. About 1.000 Murray cars were produced before the makers turned to a larger car, the Lenawee.

US, 1916 – 1918

Murray Motor Car Co, Pittsburgh, Pa.

The Murray Eight with its V8 motot and Rolls-Royce style of radiator, was a prestige car of the World War 1 period and the Murray car sold at a reasonable price and had an enviable clientele of owners and enthusiasts. The Murray cars featured both an electric clock and a slanted windshield as early as 1917.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GNG, KM

The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com