The Aerocar is an American automobile that was built from 1906 until 1908 in Detroit, Michigan. Backed by Henry Ford's former partner, coal merchant Alexander Malcomson, the short-lived company offered an air-cooled four-cylinder luxury car which sold for $2,800.
The factory was sold to Hudson Motor Car Company.
History
The Aerocar Motor Company was founded in late 1905 by entrepreneur Alexander Malcolmson, who was also the primary financial backer of the Ford Motor Company in 1903. The two had differing views on serving the marketplace with Malcomson focusing on profitability from more expensive cars in contrast to Henry Ford looking to develop cars for the low-priced market.
The company's name refers to the car's use of an air-cooled engine. Hudson had Albert Kahn design a new factory that was built a few miles away at East Jefferson and Conner.
The first model priced at $2,800 was for a touring car equipped with an air-cooled engine with a three-speed sliding gear transmission, standard steering, tubular front axle, and single battery/timer/coil ignition. was the only model produced in 1906, powered by a Reeves 24-horsepower, four-cylinder, air-cooled engine. The transmission had three gears. The maximum speed was 72 km/h = 45 miles an hour. The wheelbase was 2642 mm = 104 inch. The body was designed as a five-seater touring car. It came with a "Standard Extension Black Top" and two gas headlights as well as "Full Oil Lamp Equipment." The automobile had a Prest-o-Lite tank, Hartford shock absorbers, Gabriel horn, and a speedometer. It also came with an extra tire and inner tube in a waterproof case with attaching irons, robe-rail and a footrest in tonneau. A toolbox with full equipment was attached to the exterior running board. The air-cooled engine was later replaced by a Reeves water-cooled model.
Aerocar continued to build less expensive autos. Aerocar continued to use the 20 hp air-cooled Reeves engines in both the Model D and roadster, adding a 40 hp water-cooled touring in 1907 and 1908. The larger touring initially sold for $2,750 in 1907, then $2,200 in 1908.
Near the end, the more conventional Model F with a water-cooled 45 hp Rutenber engine was introduced, but it was too late.
The remaining cars were sold in 1908, with a grand total of approximately 300 Aerocars built.