1917 Woods Mobilette Roadster
Add to SetSummary
For a few years in the 1910s, cyclecars thrived as affordable alternatives to full-sized automobiles. This 1917 Woods Mobilette, with a four-cylinder engine and a higher build quality than most competitors, sold for $380. Consider that a roomier, sturdier Ford Model T sold for $360 at that time and it's easy to see why the cyclecar fell out of favor.
For a few years in the 1910s, cyclecars thrived as affordable alternatives to full-sized automobiles. This 1917 Woods Mobilette, with a four-cylinder engine and a higher build quality than most competitors, sold for $380. Consider that a roomier, sturdier Ford Model T sold for $360 at that time and it's easy to see why the cyclecar fell out of favor.
Artifact
Automobile
Date Made
1917
Creators
Place of Creation
United States, Illinois, Chicago
United States, Michigan, Detroit
Creator Notes
Chassis manufactured by Woods Mobilette Company, Chicago, Illinois; body made by Mossnick Phipps Mfg. Co. in Detroit, Michigan.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
36.321.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Harold A. Slater.
Material
Steel (Alloy)
Metal
Glass (Material)
Rubber (Material)
Leather
Color
Dark blue
Black (Color)
Gold (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 72 in
Width: 45.5 in
Length: 137.5 in
Inscriptions
Plate on firewall: 2144
Specifications
Make & Model: 1917 Woods Mobilette Roadster
Maker: Woods Mobilette Company, Chicago, Illinois
Engine: inline-4, L-head valves, 87 cubic inches
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Height: 72 inches
Wheelbase: 104 inches
Width: 45.5 inches
Overall length: 137.5 inches
Weight: 1200 pounds
Horsepower: 12
Price: $380
Share Anywhere
Use this Artifact Card to share this great find with others. From historic images to vivid descriptions, a record of rich detail is bundled inside a single card.
