Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
We’re Living History and Family Fun
The American La France Company was officially formed in 1903 and built steam powered hose and chemical cars. ALF produced their first gasoline powered pumpers in 1910 and built several other types of fire-fighting vehicles. By the 1920s American La France became perhaps the largest manufacturer of fire-fighting apparatus in the industry, and continue to […]
Introduced in 1922 the Austin Seven not only saved the Austin company from going out of business, but also revolutionized British motoring. Its diminutive size made it unique and by 1927 approximately 20,000 were produced each year, continuing through the late 1930s. The Austin was built under license all around the world including France, Germany, […]
Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A. Women favored electric automobiles because they did not require cranking and had no exhaust fumes. Electrics could travel up to 20 MPH and had a range of 20 to 50 miles on one charging of the batteries. Several manufacturers produced electric vehicles including Riker, Woods, Detroit Electric, Columbia and of course, Baker. […]
Long Island City, NY U.S.A. Brewster and Company built custom car bodies in a variety of models for the wealthy who preferred smaller luxury vehicles than those already on the market. Rolls Royce of America eventually absorbed Brewster, and the Brewster line was discontinued in 1925. In 1934 the Brewster name was brought back to […]
Alanson P. Brush set up the Brush Runabout Company in 1907 after designing the very first Cadillac. The Brush was a typical lightweight, inexpensive auto and was fitted with a single-cylinder 6 HP motor. Selling price was $500. In 1910 a 10 HP version was offered. Interestingly the Brush used wooden axles that proved their […]
Flint, Michigan U.S.A. David Buick started the Buick Motor Car Company in Detroit in 1903. The first design was comparatively similar to conventional automobiles of the time. In 1909 a Buick driven by Bob Burman won the first race held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and sales were boosted to over 30,000 autos by the following […]
In the 10’s and 20’s, the stately Chandler line found favor with discerning middle class buyers looking for economical luxury. The company was founded in 1913 by Frederick C. Chandler, former designer for the Lozier Motor Car Co. He sought to impress buyers with vehicles that provided speed, comfort, elegance, and reliability. By 1923, Chandler […]
Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A. Built as a small copy of the popular Chandler motor car, the Cleveland was a slightly more affordable version. It had a 6-cylinder valve-in-head engine and could be purchased for $1,490 to $1,990 as opposed to the Chandler which cost between $1,595 and $2,395.
The Columbia Automobile Company built a wide variety of cars including runabouts, surreys, tonneaus, cabriolets, broghams, delivery wagons police patrols and ambulances. They produced both gas and electric powered vehicles and had offices in New York City, Boston and Chicago.
Chicago, Illinois U.S.A. The Excelsior Supply and Manufacturing Company was the biggest factory to produce Excelsior motorcycles and was part of the well-known Schwinn Bicycle Company. Excelsiors were produced in the U.S.A. from 1908 through 1931 when Ignaz Schwinn decided to discontinue manufacture of motorcylces. This motorcycle was donated by Paul Richards of Poughkeepsie, New […]
