1906 Locomobile "Old 16" Race Car

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Artifact Overview

In 1908, driver George Robertson and mechanician Glenn Ethridge took this car to victory in the Vanderbilt Cup, America's first great automobile race. It marked the first time an American-built car won a major international road-circuit race. The Locomobile competed while wearing number 16, and it's been known as "Old 16" ever since.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Racing car

Date Made

1906

Creators

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Designed by Andrew L. Riker; manufactured by the Locomobile Company of America, Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America

Object ID

97.9.1.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Metal
Copper (Metal)
Wood (Plant material)
Leather
Rubber (Material)

Color

Gray (Color)
Black (Color)
Red

Dimensions

Height: 62.5 in
Width: 63 in
Length: 165 in

Inscriptions

Painted on front of radiatior and on sides of hood: 16 Lubricator on front wheel axle: LUNKENHEIMER CO. CINCINNATI, O - MARINE NO.1 Plate on front dash: LICENSED / UNDER / SELDEN / - PATENT / NO. 549,160 / PATENTED NOVEMBER 5, 1895 / 203781 Plate on wooden box on right: REGISTERED / MOTOR VEHICLE/ NO. 10576 / NEW YORK Other inscriptions, location not noted: 120 HP LOCOMOBILE / BUILT BRIDGEPORT, CONN. 1906 / DESIGNER, A.L. RIKER / 1906 WINNER VANDERBILT CUP TRIALS / JOE TRACY- DRIVER/AL POOLE- MECH / 1906 RECORD LAP VANDERBILT CUP RACE / JOE TRACY- DRIVER / AL POOLE- MECH / 1908 WINNER VANDERBILT CUP RACE / GEORGE ROBERTSON- DRIVER / GLEN ETHRIDGE- MECH BOSCH DUAL COIL / RUN START / NO.61161 6 VOLTS / PATENTS PENDING PST'D NOV. 3, 1895 APRIL 14, 1903 OCT. 14, 1902 APRIL 21, 1903 PAT'D PENDING

Specifications

Make & Model: 1906 Locomobile "Old 16" (road racing)
Maker: Locomobile, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Engine: Locomobile inline-4, F-head valves, 990 cubic inches
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Height: 62 inches
Width: 64 inches
Wheelbase: 110 inches
Overall length: 163 inches
Weight: 2204 pounds
Horsepower: 120 at 1000 revolutions per minute
Pounds per horsepower: 18.4
Competition History: Won the 1906 Elimination Race for American cars to qualify for the Vanderbilt Cup. Set the fastest lap during the 1906 Vanderbilt race. Won the 1908 Vanderbilt race and set the fastest lap.
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