Industry Automotive Area served United States Ceased operations 1912 | Defunct 1912 Founded 1893 Parent organization Berkshire Hathaway Energy | |
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Former type Automobile Manufacturing Fate Purchased by William Durant in 1908. Founder Harmon Von Vechten Becker and his two sons, James & Burton Headquarters Clyde, Ohio, United States | ||
Elmore Manufacturing Company was a manufacturer of veteran and brass era automobiles and bicycles (1893–97), headquartered at 504 Amanda Street, Clyde, Ohio, from 1893 until 1912. The company took its name from its original place of manufacture, the nearby village of Elmore. Founded by Harmon Von Vechten Becker and his two sons, James and Burton, the Elmore used a two-stroke engine design, in straight twin or single-cylinder versions. They later produced a straight-3 as well.
Contents
History
The smallest 1904 model was the Elmore Convertible Runabout. Equipped with a tonneau, it could seat four passengers and sold for just US$ 650, making it one of the least-expensive vehicles on the market. The flat-mounted single-cylinder engine, situated at the center of the car, produced 6.5 hp (4.8 kW). A 2-speed transmission was fitted. The car weighed 1050 lb (476 kg).
The Elmore Runabout was next in line. It could seat two passengers and sold for US$ 800. The vertically mounted straight-2, also situated at the center of the car, produced 8 hp (6 kW). A 3-speed transmission was fitted. The angle iron-framed car weighed 1400 lb (635 kg).
The top model was the Elmore Tonneau. It could seat four passengers and sold for US$ 1400. The flat-mounted straight-2 was situated at the front of the car, produced 12 hp (8.9 kW). A 3-speed transmission was fitted. The angle iron-framed car weighed 1500 lb (680 kg).
General Motors
In 1908, Elmore's three-cylinder two-stroke caught the attention of William C. Durant, founder of General Motors. He purchased the company the following year, with Elmore becoming one of General Motors' divisions. After Durant was forced out of General Motors in 1910, the Elmore marque was soon cut, along with several other underperforming brands, to help General Motors achieve financial stability.