The Dorris Motor Car Company was founded by George Preston Dorris in 1906. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Dorris had built an experimental gasoline car circa 1896–1897 in his family's bicycle shop. He moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he and John L. French founded the St. Louis Motor Company. Dorris served as chief engineer.
When French moved to Peoria, Illinois, in 1905, Dorris quit the firm and founded the Dorris Motor Car Company soon after. French and his new St. Louis Motor Carriage Company quickly foundered. The price tag of these cars was nearly $7,000.
Astra acquisition
thumb|right|Dorris automobile advertisement 1909
In 1920, Dorris acquired the Astra (1920 automobile), a competing St. Louis auto manufacturer, and re-organized as Dorris Motors Corporation.