Acme (automobile)

The Acme was a make of American automobiles made in Reading, Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1911. They were the successor of the Reber which was made from 1902 to 1903 by Reber Manufacturing.

Acme Motor Car Company
IndustryAutomobile
GenreTouring cars
FateSold to SGV (1911)
PredecessorReber Manufacturing Company
SuccessorSGV Company
Founded1903
Defunct1911
HeadquartersReading, Pennsylvania
Key people
James C. Reber (founder)
Herbert M.Sternbergh
Robert E.Graham
Fred Van Tine
Productsautomobiles
bicycles

History

In June 1903 James C Reber acquired the old Acme Machine Company's bicycle factory on the corner of Eighth and Elm Streets, Reading for US$47,000 at a receivership auction of the American Bicycle Company. Reber owned Reber Manufacturing, an automobile manufacturer, and stated that he was going to use the factory to manufacture automobiles.[1] With the purchase of this site Reber also announced that Reber Manufacturing was changing its name to the Acme Motor Car Company. The company's directors were James C Reber, George D Horst, Jacob Noble, and John D Horst.[2] The company had $200,000 capital.[3]

Acme exhibited its cars at the Chicago Automobile Shows from 1904 to 1907.[4][5] The company was one of the founding members of the American Motor Car Manufacturers Association.[6]

Frank Devlin

In November 1905 the company was taken over by Frank A Devlin of Devlin and Co, Chicago. Devlin owned Carson, Pirie, Scott, and Co one of America's largest jobbing houses. The purchase price was rumored to have been $250,000. The new owners intended to specialize in tourist cars (a touring car, limousine, and landaulettte) and delivery wagons.[7][8]

In October 1908 Devlin was killed in an automobile accident.[9]

James C Reber

James C Reber went to work for the Keystone Wagon Works in February 1907 as General Manager on a 10-year contract, but they went into receivership in November sparking a lawsuit from Reber which he won.[10] Reber went into poultry farming from that period until 1911, when he began a wholesale tobacco business.[11] Reber died after a period of illness in 1933 aged 65.[12]

Demise

Receivership (1906)

The firm went into receivership in July 1906 with Daniell J Driscoll appointed receiver by the Court. The plant was kept in operation by the receiver to ensure a reasonable return to its debtors.[13] The business was sold in February 1907 by the receiver to Herbert M Sternbergh for $65,881.12. Sternbergh held interests in the Duryea Power Company.[14] The registered capital was reduced to $5,000.[15]

Herbert Sternbergh era

Acme introduced its first 6-cylinder car, a touring car called the Sextuplet, at the New York motor show in September 1907.[16] Acme also increased its involvement in motor racing through 1908. In 1909 it introduced a 10-year guarantee on its 6-cylinder models.

In May 1909 an ocean to ocean endurance race, from New York to Seattle was proposed. Sternbergh strongly supported the idea, especially as it would draw attention to the poor condition of transcontinental roading. He hoped it would lead to significant improvements.[17]

James Hervey Sternbergh

Acme sold its site and plant to J H Sternbergh for $72,100 in May 1911.[18] Sternbergh in turn sold the Acme Motor Car Company and leased it plant to a New York consortium. The company's name was changed to SGV[19] Sternbergh died in March 1913.[20]

Production

When the company commenced production at the Elm Street plant it initially planned to make 4 to 6 vehicles per week, with the aim of increasing output 500 machines per annum.[21] Leon Schermerhorn was appointed sales manager.[22] By 1905 the company was employing 170 men. The plant in Elm Street was sold to F A Devlin of Chicago in June.[23]

In 1907 the company began to test vanadium steel alloy for use in its car parts.[24] They were also using sprags, a bar inserted between the spokes of the wheels as an additional safety mechanism to hold the car in position if it was parked on a slope.[25]

By September 1907 Acme is thought to have made 520 cars since production began at its Elm Street plant.[26] From April 1908 Krupp nickel-steel was used in construction of its transmissions.[27] At that time they also used Eisemann high tension magnetos, Exide batteries, Prestolite gas tanks, and Neverout lamps.[28]

The company's output was quite low with only between 125-150 cars planned in 1909.[29]

Acme Models

Types I, II, III are possibly Reber's.

Type IV Model A

Marketed as the Reber, the 1903 Acme was a tonneau powered by a 12 hp vertical-twin engine fitted to a three speed transmission and double chain drive. It was advertised as costing $1,800. The car weighted 1,650 pounds. Its wheelbase was 78 inches and its width was 54 inches.[30]

Type V - Touring Car (1904)

A 16 hp car that was advertised for sale at $1,650.[31]

Type VI (1905)

This model sold for $2,000. It had a 16-horsepower two-cylinder engine. It had an 84-inch wheelbase on a steel chassis. This type was offered with the option of three different bodies styles; a standard touring car, a delivery body, or an enclosed opera sedan.[32][33]

Type VIII (1905)

A 30 hp with top and headlights and 4 speed transmission. Priced at $2,750.[31]

A total of six models from 9-30 hp were advertised. With prices ranging from $800 to $2,750.[34]

Type IX (1905)

This type sold for $800. It had a single-cylinder 9 horsepower engine on steel chassis with a 76-inch wheel base.[32]

Type X Runabout (1905)

A 16 hp two seater with a three speed transmission and semi-racing body advertised at $1,000.[31][35]

Type XIV (1906)

In 1906, the company was advertising a 5-passenger tonneau in a national trade magazine. Model XIV was a 4-cylinder water cooled 30 to 35-horsepower motor and was priced at US$2,750 with maximum speed of 50 miles per hour (80 km/h).[31][36] It had a wood body on a pressed steel frame, three speed transmission, double drive chain. Its tank held 18 gallons of petrol. The car weighted 2,200 lbs. The wheel base was 102 inches, tread 56 inches. A top for the car cost an extra $150.[37]

Type XV Touring Car (1906)
1906 Acme Type XV

The Type XV was priced at US$3,500 ($3,000 in 1908). It was a 7-passenger Touring Car with a 4-cylinder motor of 45 to 50 hp. Maximum speed was 60 miles per hour (97 km/h).[31][36] It had a wooden body on a pressed steel frame. The car weighted 2,600 lbs. Its wheel base was 114 inches and tread 56 inches. The tyres were 4.5 inch Morgan and Wright on 34 inch diameter wheels. It had a 20-gallon fuel tank.[28][37]

Type XVI (1907)

A five-passenger touring which sold for $2,800 and a roadster. Similar to the Type XVIII.[28][38] Was priced at $3,500 in 1907.[39]

Type XVII

No details. Possibly the Vanderbilt race car. The car was powered by a bored out six cylinder engine and ran on Truffault-Hartford shock absorbers.[40] It was shorter, 116 inch wheelbase, and lighter than the stock six cylinder cars. Testing began in August 1908.[41]

Type XVIII (1908)

7 seater touring car which sold for $3,250 in 1908.[28] The $5,000 Landaulet's and Limousine's were possibly versions on this car.[39]

Type XIX Midget Runabout (1907)

45-50 hp for $3,250[39] During the year a new 30 hp runabout with a shaft drive was developed along the lines of the 1906 racing car. It was anticipated that it would retail for $2,000.[42] The 1907 advertisements priced it at $3,250, while in mid 1908 it was priced at $1,800.[28] The price rose to $2,500 by the end of 1908.[43]

Type XX The Acme Sextuplet (1908)

A 5 or 7 passenger Touring Car equipped with a six-cylinder engine and priced at $4500.00.[31] Probably introduced in 1907.[16] In 1908 it was priced at $4,000.[28]

Type XXI The Fairmount Sextuplet (1908)

A roadster or tourabout equipped with a six-cylinder 45 hp engine and priced at $4500.00.[31] Probably introduced in early 1908. It had a stated top speed of 76 mph.[44] There were three models A, B and C.[38]

Type XXV "Vanderbilt" (1908)

A car of this type participated in the New York to Boston endurance run on 11 March 1909.[45] It was a 6-cylinder and made as either a 5 or 7 seater selling for $6,000 in 1908.[43]

Type XXVI The Standard Quad

Two models of four cylinder touring car, A and B.[38] A 5 and 7 seater that sold for $3,500.[43]

Type XXVII The Standard Quad (1909)

A runabout priced at $3750 equipped with a four-cylinder engine.[31] It had 5 or 7 seats.[43]

Type XXVIII

A tourabout.[38]

Special Sextuplet (1910)

The Special was equipped with a six-cylinder 50 horsepower engine and priced at $4,750.

All Acme automobiles came with a year's "absolute binding guarantee."[46]

SGV (1910)

Acme acquired parts from Lancia and made cars under the SGV badge. The model was similar in style to the Lancia Beta Torpedo.[47] Newspapers of the time described the SGV as lightweight and mechanically efficient. The Lancia engine was used and a four speed transmission. The steering radius was noted being small, making the car maneuverable in city traffic.[48]

Motor Racing

Acme entered a car in motor races in Atlanta City on the 26 to 30 April 1906. It was described as a new model that had just been tested.[49] In a 1907 race at Reading the Acme car driven by Edward Lange was beaten by a Pullman driven be Robert Morton.[50]

In 1908 Acme created a new 6 cylinder 45 hp runabout capable of 76 mph, the Type XXI. The company entered the car in the 360 mile long race at Savannah on 18–19 March with Malcolm Newstetter replacing Ed L'Engle as its driver.[51] It also announced that they intended to enter their cars in hill climbing and endurance races, but not races where chance plays a large part.[52] The Acme car came third in a time of 6:47:05. It was beaten by an Italian Isotta Fraschini (6:21:20) and an Apperson (6:44:37).[53]

Acme cars competed in the Land's End Economy Run of the Long Island Automobile Club in early 1908.[54]

Following its good placing in the Savannah race, Acme entered a car in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup race and began negotiations with Lewis Strang for its driver.[55] The car was to be specially constructed for the race with a larger bore engine than normal.[56] The same car was entered in the Grand Prix of the Automobile Club of America at Savannah with Leonard Zengle as its driver.[57][58]

A Type XIX won a hill climb at Wilkes-Barre and three events at the New York-based Jamaica speed trials in May or June 1908.[59][60]

A private owner J H Tyson entered a Type XXI driven by professional Strang in the 1908 Brighton Beach 24 hour race.[61] Acme entered a Type XXV.[62] The car was to be driven by Cyrus Patchke and was also entered in the Fairmount Park 200 mile race on 10 October.[63] A Acme Type XXI came second in the race.[64]

Advertisements
Acme Motor Car Company - 1906.

Unrelated companies

The following companies have the same or similar names, but are not associated with the Reading company.

  • Acme Motor Car Company of New York (incorporated 1905) - J Fe Smet Maguire, R Lewis Julian, and George H Stout (Directors)[65]
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See also

References
  1. "A quick sale". Reading Times. June 11, 1903. p. 3. Retrieved June 11, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Acme Motor Car Company". Reading Times. June 12, 1903. p. 5. Retrieved June 11, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Charter Granted Central Penna. Traction Company". Harrisburg Daily Independent. July 9, 1903. p. 2. Retrieved June 11, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Space at auto show". Chicago Daily Tribune. November 27, 1904. p. 3. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Booked for Auto show". Chicago Daily Tribune. December 24, 1905. p. 2. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Independent Auto Men". The Indianapolis News. March 6, 1905. p. 3. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Motor car works sold". Reading Times. November 5, 1905. p. 3. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Gossip of the motor experts". The Inter Ocean. November 5, 1905. p. 3. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "State news in brief". Lebanon Daily News. October 22, 1908. p. 4. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. "Suit for $11,017 in wages". Reading Times. June 18, 1908. p. 2. Retrieved June 11, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "In tobacco business". Lebanon Daily News. November 11, 1911. p. 7. Retrieved June 11, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "James C Reber". Reading Times. December 19, 1933. p. 19. Retrieved June 11, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Receiver appointed for Acme Motor Car Company". Reading Times. July 17, 1906. p. 3. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "Sale is approved". Reading Times. February 14, 1907. p. 8. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Hoerner's Corner granted charter". Harrisburg Telegraph. March 25, 1907. p. 1. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. "Graceful lines in auto building". The New York Times. October 29, 1907. p. 9. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Among the automobilists". The Sun (New York). May 16, 1909. p. 13. Retrieved June 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. "Motor Car Company sold". Reading Times. May 13, 1911. p. 13. Retrieved June 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Acme auto plant leased". Allentown Leader. May 20, 1911. p. 6. Retrieved June 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. "Sternbergh will in full". Lebanon Daily News. March 11, 1913. p. 9. Retrieved June 16, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. "More new ventures". Reading Times. July 23, 1903. p. 2. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
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  24. "Acme to make test of vanadium steel". Oregon Daily Journal. September 1, 1907. p. 17. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. "The use of a sprag". Harrisburg Telegraph. September 7, 1907. p. 1. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. "New Atlas models completed for show". Pittsburgh Sunday Post. September 29, 1907. p. 21. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Buys Grand Prix car". The New York Times. April 19, 1908. p. 35. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
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  30. The Reber Automobile & The Reber Mfg Co, retrieved 11 June 2015
  31. The Acme Automobile & The Acme Motor Car Co, retrieved 11 June 2015
  32. Acme Car, retrieved 14 June 2015
  33. 1905 Acme Opera Limousine, retrieved 11 June 2015
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  38. Part II - Automobiles by manufacturer, American Automobiles of the Brass Era: Essential Specifications of 4,000+ Gasoline Powered Passenger Cars, 1906-1915, with a Statistical and Historical Overview, Robert D. Dluhy, McFarland, 2013, page 53, ISBN 1476615292, 9781476615295
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  40. "Austin draws first place in the French Grand Prix". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. June 19, 1908. p. 23. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
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  44. "High speed auto car". Harrisburg Telegraph. January 24, 1908. p. 11. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. Advertisement, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 14, 1909, page 61
  46. Acme. Modern Motor Cars, March 1906, pg.95. Retrieved August 27, 2011.
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  48. "SGV car one of the interesting exhibits". San Francisco Chronicle. March 5, 1911. p. 40. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
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  54. "Automobile News". Reading Times. March 10, 1908. p. 4. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. "Acme for Vanderbilt race". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. May 3, 1908. p. 61. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. "Acme in new hands". The New York Times. May 10, 1908. p. 32. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. "Auto peace agreement begins to show itself". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. September 22, 1908. p. 23. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. "New driver for Acme racer". Lebanon Daily News. November 6, 1908. p. 3. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. "Acme racer a stock car". The New York Times. June 14, 1908. p. 31. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. "An Acme performance". The Gazette Times. Pittsburgh. June 21, 1908. p. 22. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  61. "Strang will drive Acme car". Pittsburgh Sunday Post. August 30, 1908. p. 16. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. "Acme entry for Brighton". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. September 20, 1908. p. 21. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  63. "Founders Week race". Pittston Gazette. September 28, 1908. p. 4. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  64. "Auto notes". Pittsburgh Sunday Post. October 18, 1908. p. 8. Retrieved June 15, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  65. "New York Incorporations". The New York Times. January 17, 1905. p. 12. Retrieved June 12, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.

Further reading
  • G. Marshall Naul, "Acme", in G.N. Georgano, ed., The Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars 1885-1968 (New York: E.P. Dutton and Co., 1974), pp. 27.
  • David Burgess Wise, The New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles.
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