1896 Duryea Runabout
01
Artifact Overview
Early automobile inventors tended to make one-of-a-kind vehicles. Charles and Frank Duryea had a different idea. In 1896, they established the Duryea Motor Wagon Company and built thirteen identical vehicles. Based on their second model that had recently won America's first automobile race, this car was user friendly. A single lever controlled steering, shifting, and accelerating. The Henry Ford owns the only known surviving 1896 Duryea.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Automobile
Date Made
1896
Creators
Place of Creation
Location
at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America
Object ID
72.127.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Wood (Plant material)
Metal
Leather
Brass (Alloy)
Color
Dark green
Black (Color)
Gray (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 59 in
Width: 56 in
Length: 94 in
Wheelbase: 60 in
Inscriptions
Brass plate on tiller: Built by the / Duryea Motor Wagon / Company / Springfield Mass. U.S.A.
Plate below seat: PAT'D. JUNE 11 - 1895 / PAT'D. MAR, 31 - 1896 / Other Patents Pending
Specifications
Make & Model: 1896 Duryea runabout
Maker: Duryea Motor Wagon Company, Springfield, Massachusetts
Engine: inline-2, F-head valves, 138 cubic inches
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Height: 59 inches
Wheelbase: 60 inches
Width: 56 inches
Overall length: 94 inches
Weight: 700 pounds
Horsepower: 6
Pounds per horsepower: 116.7
Price: $1,500 (estimated)
Average 1896 wage: $411
Time you'd work to buy this car: about 3 years, 7 months
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