Cole

In 1903 at Rockford, Illinois, Joseph J. Cole (1869-1925) made his first effort to construct an automobile. He co-owned a business with his son, selling and repairing mechanical items like wheels, cars, motorcycles, and even lawn mowers. Together, they developed the Rockford, a 4-cylinder touring automobile that was intended for sale. Instead of moving further with the proposal, they started a Rambler car dealership.

Cole acquired the Gates-Osborne Carriage Company in 1904, and shortly thereafter changed its name to the Cole Carriage Company. He created his first vehicle there. A two-cylinder high-wheeled motor buggy was what it was. According to legend, he didn't install brakes on this vehicle, thus on his first journey, he had to drive till the tank was empty.

The Cole Carriage Company was producing around 3,000 carriages a year in 1904. Engineer Charles S. Crawford, who subsequently worked for Stutz, aided in the start of this car's production the same year. The "Cole Solid Tire Automobile" was the name given to the new vehicle. Before realizing that this style of automobile had no future, Cole sold around 170 of these high wheelers.

The Cole Carriage Company, which had been reconstituted as the Cole Motor Automobile Company in June 1909, created the Cole Model 30, a typical little car. Its name was confusing, as its two-cylinder engine barely produced 14 HP. It had a wheelbase of 90 inches (2,300 mm).


Cole Motor Car Company History
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