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Jay O'Dell: Developer of the King car was automotive pioneer
Charles King played a highly significant role in development of the American automobile over a period of many years as both an automobile designer and inventor.
Purchase this photoCharles King played a highly significant role in development of the American automobile over a period of many years as both an automobile designer and inventor.
In 1887, Charles entered Cornell University and studied mechanical engineering. He withdrew and returned to Detroit, working as a draftsman and designer for railcar companies.
He started an independent company that manufactured small gasoline engines. By 1895, he finalized the design of a four-cylinder gasoline engine that would serve to power a motorcar.
Following the engine development, a vehicle frame from another firm was secured to the body for a "Toting Wagon". After installing his four-cylinder engine in the car and making some modifications, he was ready for an initial run.
On March 6, 1893, he was the first person to drive a "horseless carriage" on city streets of Detroit. King continued to build engines and an occasional road vehicle. He assisted other automotive pioneers, including Henry Ford, in development of the Ford car.
In 1903, King became chief engineer of the Northern Motor Car Co., which was based in Detroit. He designed the two-cylinder and later four-cylinder engines for the Northern make of automobile which was produced from 1902-1908. In 1908, the Northern firm merged with other automobile concerns and the Northern car make was ended for production.
King and several investors in 1911 organized the King Motor Car Co., which produced a technically advanced car. King left the firm in 1912 due to financial difficulties, although the King car make was produced for several more years. Charles King became an independent consultant and inventor in the automotive industry, based in Detroit.
The King car that was invented in 1896, was manufactured from 1911-25 in Detroit, Mich., and 1923-24 in Buffalo, N.Y.
In 1914, the King car was available with a V-8 engine which sold for $1,350. The best years for the King make of car were 1915 and 1916 with 3,000 cars sold each year.
Production of cars declined each year after 1916 and the company ended operation in Detroit during 1923. The company relocated to Buffalo, where 240 cars were built in 1923.
The company produced even fewer cars in 1924 and went into bankruptcy which ended car production. During the good years, King cars were sold throughout the U.S., Europe, South America, South Africa, Australia, Russia and England. The car history was 1911 to 1924, a period of 13 years.
Charles King died in New York during 1957. He donated his extensive collection of automobile engines to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich. A replica of his pioneering 1896 car is on display at the Detroit Historical Society. Both displays are open to the public for viewing.
Jay O'Dell is a senior master judge and exhibitor of antique show cars. Suggestions for column content or other inquiries can be sent to him at: P. O. Box 469, Lavalette, WV 25535.
