The Jones Motor Car Company of Wichita Kansas

[John Bloom]

Looking at Facebook marketplace this morning with coffee and this Speedometer was listed from a Make I'd never heard of.  The Jones Motor Car Company.  A neat piece if you have a Jones or any family connection to the Make.  I did some quick reading.  Seems like a nice upper mid priced offering, 118 inch wheelbase, Lycoming 6 cyl engine.  It says 4,000 cars were built over 6 years in Wichita Kansas.  Anybody a Follower of this Make?

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/401926543304995/permalink/2024726487691651/?sale_post_id=2024726487691651

 

 

Jones

Copied from the 1915 Motor Age Magazine

Announcement of a new car comes from Wichita, Kan., in the form of the Jones Six, the product of the Jones Motor Car Co. The car is assembled from standard parts. The new car appears as a five-passenger, six-cylinder touring car of 118-inch wheel- base at $1,150. The motor is built by the Lycoming Foundry & Machine Co., and has T-head cylinders, 31/2 by 41/4.  The gearset is a four-speed selective type bolted directly to the motor, and is a part of the unit power plant. Final drive is through a single universal, inclosed in a torque tube, the drive taken through three-quarter elliptic springs. Tires are 34 by 5, and equipment includes Q. D. demountable rims with a spare on the rear. Starting and lighting is provided by a Leece-Neville system

1915 Jones Touring Automobile

Before this Jones model was put into production, there were twelve former companies that had been named Jones. But John J. Jones was different. He was an Iowa farm boy who worked in oil fields until he had enough money to buy a furniture store in Witicha, KS.  From there, he opened the Jones-Sparks Auto Exchange who were used car dealers. Then he became a Model T Ford dealer. He made over $125,000 by selling the Ford cars. Then, he decided to go one step further and make his own automobiles.

With the help of his former mechanic, Carl Evans,who helped him in the restorations of the used cars, they cme up with a medium-priced car that he was sure to be a very good seller. He invested most of the money that was necessary to get started. He established his Jones Motor Car Company in 1914. His car proved to be very successful and monyed men became interested and the firm was capitalized at $500,000 in 1915, production began. The capitalization fund was increased to $2,500,000 in 1917. 4,000 Jones cars were sold in the first six years. By this time he was also building the Jones Truck and his employees were over 900. His sales were world wide. But in 1920, the unexpected happened. It was a disastrous fire that demolished  two of his buildings and his automobile inventory. One week later, he resumed his business, but the fire and the post war recession killed the Jones automobile.

[Terry Bond]

The Jones speedometer and the Jones car are unrelated. Two different companies. I don't know what make of speedometer was supplied with the Jones automobile, but the one shown in your post is much older than the car.  It's for a brass Era vehicle. 

Terry

Edited December 20, 2021 by Terry Bond (see edit history)

[John Bloom]

Interesting Terry. That is why I love this site. Always an education.   I will settle in tonight when I have more time and research Jones speedometer‘s and see what makes used them.

[John_S_in_Penna]

1 hour ago, John Bloom said:

Anybody a Follower of this Make?

Yes.  Interestingly, there was a Mr. and Mrs. Jones

who took their Jones cars to Hershey, probably in

the mid- to late 1990's, when the car show

was still in the stadium's parking lot.  I remember they

had two different Joneses, both brightly painted,

one in orange, which was evidently correct from the

Jones factory.

 

I don't know where those people or their cars are now.

There's seemingly a specialist for even the most obscure

items! 

 

Edited December 20, 2021 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[John Bloom]

Since the speedometer and the make of that car are unrelated, maybe I should Shut this thread down, or change the title of it......” keeping up with the Jone’s”...?

[8E45E]

10 hours ago, John Bloom said:

 I will settle in tonight when I have more time and research Jones speedometer‘s and see what makes used them.

Pre-GM Oldsmobiles used them for one.

 

And I have seen them in other makes of cars.

 

Simply change the title of this post, and delete the Jones Motor Car information, or start another thread for the car manufacturer of the same name.

 

Craig

Edited December 20, 2021 by 8E45E
Added Photo (see edit history)

[John_S_in_Penna]

2 minutes ago, John Bloom said:

Since the speedometer and the make of that car are unrelated, maybe I should Shut this thread down, or change the title of it......” keeping up with the Jone’s”...?

There's no need to change the title.  We may

find out interesting things about the Jones cars,

and where they are today.

 

By the way, an English noun is NEVER made plural

with an apostrophe, so the plural is "Joneses."

[John Bloom]

1 minute ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

 

 

By the way, an English noun is NEVER made plural

with an apostrophe, so the plural is "Joneses."

Thanks, at some level I think I know The difference between plural and possessive, but English is not my strong suit. I stayed out of those literature and English hallways in high school and college and hung out with the nerds in the math hallways.   Thrilled when I was forced to take an English class and got a C in it.

[West Peterson]

16 minutes ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

Yes.  Interestingly, there was a Mr. and Mr. Jones

who took their Jones cars to Hershey, probably in

the mid- to late 1990's, when the car show

was still in the stadium's parking lot.  I remember they

had two different Joneses, both brightly painted,

one in orange, which was evidently correct from the

Jones factory.

 

I don't know where those people or their cars are now.

There's seemingly a specialist for even the most obscure

items! 

 

The Joneses showed five of their cars, each painted a different color, at one of the Tennessee Nationals a few years ago. I don't remember, but I think they've collected all known Joneses.

[stretch cab]

Wow, collecting all known Jones cars would really be "Keeping up with the Joneses".  Sorry I couldn't resist!

[oldcarfudd]

Several companies made "Ford Special" speedometers for 1914-15 Model Ts.  All had Ford script EXCEPT Jones.  I have a Ford Special Jones speedometer mounted on my 1907 Cadillac.  Not correct, but nice.

[Paul Dobbin]

2 hours ago, John Bloom said:

Interesting Terry. That is why I love this site. Always an education.   I will settle in tonight when I have more time and research Jones speedometer‘s and see what makes used them.

  

  From the early 1980's thru my retirement from Great American Racing in 2001, most    

  competitive racers  in the Championship Class used a Jones Speedometer.  Many in the 

  Sportsman & Rookie Classes also switched to Jones when they discoverd how competitive

  the event was.

  It was made form a gear driven Jones Lathe Tachometer with a self calibrated speedometer  

  face.  Early car speedometers used a fly ball spring in their original speedometer that was not 

  consistent in high heat.

  

[Restorer32]

3 hours ago, West Peterson said:

The Joneses showed five of their cars, each painted a different color, at one of the Tennessee Nationals a few years ago. I don't remember, but I think they've collected all known Joneses.

I have the same memory.

[John Bloom]

11 minutes ago, Restorer32 said:

I have the same memory.

I wonder if there is a picture floating  around out there?

[West Peterson]

52 minutes ago, John Bloom said:

I wonder if there is a picture floating  around out there?

I probably have one from the show. I just needs to remember when/where it was.

[Terry Bond]

I remember talking with them years ago.  At that time they were attempting to restore the remains of the last Jones they had originally acquired as a parts donor for the other cars.  I was actually able to help them with a few pieces for the top.  The cars were all painted in bright colors-which I understand was correct.  I am not sure what became of them but I seem to recall one of the cars was sold at auction several years ago.  Perhaps others can provide more info on what became of Bob Jones, his wife and the cars.  The were proud to have all of them known to exist though.  Bob was from Mt. Juliet TN and owned a development company there.

Here is an older photo of Bob with his 1918 Jones.

Terry

 

[Terry Bond]

Regarding the Jones speedometer, here is a neat related item that could be mounted on a car-just in case.

Terry

[John Bloom]

6 minutes ago, Terry Bond said:

Regarding the Jones speedometer, here is a neat related item that could be mounted on a car-just in case.

Terry

Terry, that is awesome. It seems like a poor strategy to insult the police officer and say he’s guessing but maybe it would work.

[John Bloom]

5 Jones have gone missing.  Need the Sherlock Holmes of vintage car sleuthing.   
 

I wonder if they are all together in one spot quietly off the radar?

 

 

[West Peterson]

23 minutes ago, Terry Bond said:

I remember talking with them years ago.  At that time they were attempting to restore the remains of the last Jones they had originally acquired as a parts donor for the other cars.  I was actually able to help them with a few pieces for the top.  The cars were all painted in bright colors-which I understand was correct.  I am not sure what became of them but I seem to recall one of the cars was sold at auction several years ago.  Perhaps others can provide more info on what became of Bob Jones, his wife and the cars.  The were proud to have all of them known to exist though.  Bob was from Mt. Juliet TN and owned a development company there.

Here is an older photo of Bob with his 1918 Jones.

Terry

 

He's still an AACA member.

[8E45E]

1 hour ago, Terry Bond said:

Regarding the Jones speedometer, here is a neat related item that could be mounted on a car-just in case.

Terry

I wonder if Jones ever started to make "Certified" speedometers.

 

Craig

[Terry Bond]

What's a "certified" speedometer?

Terry

 

1 minute ago, 8E45E said:

I wonder if Jones ever started to make "Certified" speedometers.

 

Craig

 

[8E45E]

5 hours ago, Terry Bond said:

What's a "certified" speedometer?

Terry

 

 

See Post #27 here-------->  https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/general-studebaker-specific-discussion/51412-more-marshal-dig-out/page2

 

and Posts #46 & #48 herre------->  https://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/forum/your-studebaker-forum/general-studebaker-specific-discussion/115092-1961-lark-marshal-what-we-are-learning/page4

 

Third photo in first post here---->  Urban Exploration: Interesting '63 Lark Police Car - Studebaker Drivers Club Forum

 

The factory attachment in the last post here below:

 

Craig

Edited December 21, 2021 by 8E45E (see edit history)

[3macboys]

58 minutes ago, Terry Bond said:

What's a "certified" speedometer?

Terry

 

 

Terry,

 

Even up to the end of production the Crown Vic's still had them:

 

I 

I believe that it was a hold over from the days when an officer could "pace" another car to determine the speed.  I'm not sure if there's anywhere that still does that or that it is allowed in court but there are some interesting laws out there on what is and is not permissible.  

 

Don  

[Terry Bond]

OK, now I understand what you are talking about. There are quite a few years difference between the more modern "certified" speedometer used in police cars and the brass Era Jones speedometer though. Don't know who"certified" then or how their accuracy was determined, but the U.S Bureau of Standards did test a couple of models of the Jones speedometer in 1911 and found them to be very accurate. Those test results were used in their advertising. Jones company was sold to Stewart Warner in 1924.  

Terry

[Chris Paulsen]

There are two Jones automobiles existing in Wichita, Kansas. 

[Graham Man]

Looks like 1908

 

[John Bloom]

1 hour ago, Chris Paulsen said:

There are two Jones automobiles existing in Wichita, Kansas. 

Thanks Chris.  Any photos?  

[Terry Bond]

1 hour ago, Graham Man said:

Looks like 1908

 

That's a patent date. 

[Studemax]

There is a 1916 Jones IV on the 4th floor of the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum. It's my favorite exhibit there, installed in what is supposed to be a period garage. The dirt floor is soaked in old oil, and it smells just like my grandfathers old farm shop...

 

06sedgwick3.JPG (600×391) (kansastravel.org)

[Chris Paulsen]

 

 

John Bloom-

 

 

 

 

 

[John Bloom]

That is a very nice looking car.

[konstantineaquavi]

I probably have one from the show. I just needs to remember when/where it was.

شقق للبيع في اسطنبول

Edited December 26, 2021 by konstantineaquavi (see edit history)

[Chris Wybrew]

I think the red car with the Houk wire wheels is probably the 1918 Jones Speedster Six I owned between 1988 and approx 2002. I drove it a great many miles here in the UK  (Scotland) before selling it to Bob Jones to add to his Jones collection. So far as I know it is the only extant speedster. 4.6 litre Continental fixed head six developing about 50bhp. It was owned by Bill Harrah in Reno and when his collection was dispersed it was sold by Sothebys at their London, England sale in December 1988. It was originally dark brown body, black fenders with green leather - see arrival photos. It came to me completely unrestored. I gave it a cosmetic and mechanical refresh and it was a very nice vehicle to drive. Lovely light clutch and steering for the era and gears were quite user friendly too. It liked to run at around 38-40mph and was very good in the hilly country we have here for it had great torque, much more than the 1920 Jordan Silhouette I later owned with a smaller Continental. I also owned a 1922 Hudson Super Six phaeton but it was not as nice to drive as the Jones. The Jones had clearly done a lot of miles before Harrah acquired it. The driver's heel had worn a deep depression in the wooden floor board in front of the gas pedal. 30 years ago I visited the Jones garage display on the upper floors of the Wichita museum and the old factory building occupied by Coleman. I gave me an excuse to vist the mid west as well as Hershey, the Ford Museum etc! My Jones had a Stewart speedometer and vacuum fuel lift pump.

Edited September 17, 2023 by Chris Wybrew (see edit history)

[RAH]

Guys, As usual I keep learning something NEW nearly every day. As it happens My '15 Dodge Brothers uses a Jones Model 25 speedometer. In fact from their beginning up to S/N 22810 (late July early August '15) used that Jones model 25. My Early Aug '15 roadster has the Jones. Suffice it to say I was unaware of a Jones automobile until tonight. Thanks for that. 

Rodger "Dodger"

Edited September 17, 2023 by RAH
Further clarification (see edit history)

[Studemax]

Did he have a large number of autos and motorcycles scattered around Wichita in storage units?

[Studemax]

South Hutch is NOT Doodah.

[Terry Wiegand]

I promised that I would prove to the forum readers that I am living out in Doo Dah America.  I am posting the photos to back up what I am talking about.  The folks in Wichita, Kansas know all about living in Doo Dah and folks, here are the photos to prove just what I am talking about.  This has been going on since the middle 1960's when the wife of the editor of The Hutchinson News newspaper told her family and friends back in Kansas City that her husband drug their family out in the middle of Doo Dah to take an editor job for a small town newspaper.  I was about 16 years old when I read about her comments in our local paper.  The folks out in Western Kansas (close to the Coast of Colorado) just howled about her husband's writings telling the readers how she felt that she was stuck somewhere out in Doo Dah.  Years have passed and Mr. McCormally turned out to be one of the best newspaper editors in our area of the country.  The Doo Dah moniker stuck and us fellow Kansans are really pretty happy to be associated with living Way Out In Doo Dah!

 

Terry Wiegand

South Hutchinson, Kansas

AACA Life Member #947918

[Studemax]

Wichita obtained its nickname - Doodah - thanks to beat poet Allen Ginsburg. In his poem Wichita Vortex Sutra he referred to Wichita as Doodah. He lived here for a time in the 60's and meant Doodah to be a mild insult. In truth, he liked it in Wichita, because it was safe and quiet during the upheaval of war and unrest across the country. Wichita didn't embrace him as a native son, but he was celebrated as a well known and popular cultural artist of the time.

So Mr. Wiegand is repeating a sugar coated lie.