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Zenith Carburetor (later the Fuel Devices Division of Bendix Corporation) was an American manufacturer of gasoline engine management systems and components, chiefly carburetors and filters. It was founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1911.
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Carburetors in most cases were replaced by fuel injection systems, also provided by Bendix, during the 1970s.
Francois Baverey
The design of the Zenith was perfected around 1906–1908 by Francois Baverey of Lyon, France. The carburettor had two jets, one for rich mixture, one for lean. The mixture was then combined in the right proportions for the engine's speed and load.
The Zenith design won first prize in a competition with 14 others organised by the Royal Prussian War Ministry in 1914.
Ford
Zenith's product was one of a small number of different carburetors used on the Ford Model T. It was also fitted to 3.5 million Ford Model A cars.
Harley-Davidson
Their big twin motorcycles were fitted with Zenith carburetors.
Farm tractors
Zenith carburetors were also standard equipment on some International Harvester Farmall tractors, such as the 161X7 on their Super A and on Allis-Chalmers products.
Other applications
Zenith carburettors were fitted to aircraft piston engines. They also had many marine applications.