Auto factory early 1900s

[adam1982]

[Bleach]

Anyone want to take a stab at the make?

Almost looks like a early Buick.

[modelt1913touring]

That is a huge car with a long wheelbase! I think it may be a Pierce Arrow. The vertical hood panel on the car directly behind the unfinished chassis in the foreground looks like a Pierce Arrow. I'm assuming all of the cars are of the same make.

[Layden B]

Am thinking the large aluminum flywheel cover part is a U.S.L. brand starter/generator set. If so then the car make is probably on this list. Some we can knock out easily due to our knowledge or year of manufacture; Brewster, Dispatch, Mercer, Nelson. I believe the Overland was cast in singles not pairs and the Edwards and Willys Knights were sleeve valve engines.

[Lozierman]

We can probably rule out the Bergdoll as they were all L head motors.

[Lozierman]

The 1914 Moyer E series seems to fit the bill. It was 4 cylinder T head motor. Moyer only built a limited number of cars over their production years so even being a right hand drive car in 1914 wouldn't be unrealistic, (much like Stutz).

The radiator seems to resemble a Moyer in my opinion.

[Guest brass-is-class]

The 1914 Moyer E series seems to fit the bill. It was 4 cylinder T head motor. Moyer only built a limited number of cars over their production years so even being a right hand drive car in 1914 wouldn't be unrealistic, (much like Stutz).

The radiator seems to resemble a Moyer in my opinion.

Lozierman is correct! This is a Moyer chassis in the Moyer automobile factory on the northwest corner of Park & Wolf Sts., Syracuse, NY, circa mid 1913 or so. The factory building still stands today occupied by a carpet wholesaler. Moyer introduced his new engines with USL starter/generators in a supplement catalog in mid-1913 called "MOYER SPECIALS". The chassis is most likely the first Moyer being built with the new Moyer designed engine with USL Starter/Generator (electric starting and lighting) as evidenced by the round housing behind the engine with the name plate attached. This is a curious photo, because the Moyer cars in the background are of various earlier Moyer cars, 1911s and 1912 and early 1913s. Note touring car directly behind with oil side lamp and the detachable rims with lock ring. Also note runabout to the right with gas tank on rear, trunk removed, and belly pan standing on end with grease on it in various spots. This is most likely a section of the Moyer factory where Moyer cars were repaired. Looking closely, the chassis sits on demountable wheels (rims bolted on), another feature that was an improvement in the post mid-1913 cars. The body on the chassis is not for a production car, but rather is an old 1911 open touring car body minus the back seat section. This body looks pretty beat up and most likely was used to test the chassis after assembly to adjust linkages, start and run the chassis on the streets around the factory for fine tuning and checking of performance. Moyer used Wisconsin Model B 4 cylinder T-head engines (28 hp) when they were first produced from January, 1910 to late 1912 or early 1913. Moyer also added an optional "little six" cylinder T-head engine (38 hp) cast in triplet manufactured by Herschell-Spillman of North Tonawanda, NY. This company also made carousels like the 1913 H-S carousel at Greenfiled Village of The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. Moyer discontinued both these engines when he designed his own 4 and 6 cylinder T-head engines (32 hp & 48 hp respectively) with same bore and stroke (4 1/2" x 5") and interchangeable pistons and rods. These engines also had drilled crankshafts for oil to the bearings by a cam driven pump. Would love to know the history of this photo... the where, when, who, etc. What photographer? Is this a photo post card from the era or a larger photo? Would love to talk to you adam1982! Also Michael, do you have any info on Moyer? You seem to know the models and years. If you have any catalogs you'd like to share/copy I'd be willing to do the same with what I have. Thanks! - Gary Smith - H.A. Moyer Registry, e-mail: sasgjs@gmail.com

See photos below of the Moyer factory from the H.A. Moyer Registry archives:

Edited June 7, 2013 by brass-is-class (see edit history)