King Automobile

by Woodson Savage

Title

King Automobile

Artist

Woodson Savage

Medium

Digital Art - Cardboard Advertising Sign

Description

The King was an automobile built in Detroit from 1911 to 1923, and in Buffalo in late 1923, with an additional car built in Detroit in 1896.
In 1913 The King Motor Car Co. went into receivership due to over expansion and lack of capital. The company was purchased by Artemus Ward of New York (chewing gum magnate and NYC streetcar advertising fame) and King production continued till 1924. Charles B. King remained with the company as an engineer.
The King Eight priced at $1,350.00 was introduced in October 26, 1914. Charles B. King designed the new 8 cylinder engine about the same time as the first Cadillac V-8. The new King V-8 had a three inch bore and a five inch stroke, 283 cubic inches and developed 60 horsepower.
The 1916 and 1917 King Eight automobiles were made in four body styles of exceptional comfort, convenience and luxury. A King Eight 60 horsepower seven passenger Touring Car was priced at $1,350.00, King Four 40-45 horsepower five passenger Touring Car $1,150.00, three passenger roadster $1,585 and a seven passenger Sedan $2,150.00. From 1918 to 1920 the King line up was about the same with only price changes. C. A. Finnegan purchased The King Motor Car Co. in 1923 and moved the automobile firm to Buffalo, NY and production stopped in 1924.
Charles Brady King built his first car in Detroit in 1896. The original plan was to enter it in the November 1895 Chicago Times Herald auto race, but it was completed too late for that. King did finish it on March 6, 1896, and it became the first gasoline automobile to be successfully driven on the streets of Detroit. Henry Ford reportedly followed behind on a bicycle the maiden voyage of the King.
Charles King was an avid inventor with over 64 patents and was the inventor of the "jack hammer" among other items; he was a mentor to Henry Ford.
The new King car incorporated a number of advanced features, such as a Gray engine cast en bloc, cantilever springs, left-hand drive, and a centrally-located gearshift. Possibly its most advanced feature was its lubrication system in which the flywheel served as a form of oil pump.

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March 10th, 2015

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