1896 Duryea Runabout

The 1896 Duryea Runabout is a milestone in the history of American automobiles, as the first series-produced car made in the United States. While only 13 examples were built, these were identical vehicles rather than one-off prototypes, marking the beginning of commercial production in America. Today, only one of these pioneering vehicles survives, preserved in The Henry Ford Museum.

Origins of the Duryea Brothers' Innovation

Charles E. and J. Frank Duryea, brothers from Springfield, Massachusetts, were among the earliest American pioneers in the automobile industry. Charles started his career in the bicycle business, while Frank, after graduating high school, joined his brother to help experiment with engines and vehicle design. Inspired by an 1889 Scientific American article on Karl Benz's work, they decided to build their own automobile. Their first prototype, completed in 1892, was a failure, but Frank persisted and refined the design, producing a working model that featured advanced technology for its time, such as an electric starter and pneumatic tires.

In 1895, Frank drove their second car to victory in the Chicago Times-Herald race, America’s first automobile race. This win brought attention to the Duryea brothers and fueled the establishment of the Duryea Motor Wagon Company in 1896. With the success of the race, they set out to create a commercially viable automobile, resulting in the 1896 Duryea Runabout.

Design and Features of the Duryea Runabout

The 1896 Duryea Runabout was built with a 6-horsepower engine capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 mph. The car’s most innovative feature was its multi-function tiller, which combined steering, shifting, and accelerating in one simple control. This made the car user-friendly and ahead of its time. Additionally, the car was powered by leather belts that transferred energy from the engine to the rear wheels.

At just 700 pounds, the Runabout was a light, nimble vehicle. The vehicle’s compact size and design made it perfect for its intended purpose of urban transport, offering a glimpse into the future of automobiles as practical, everyday machines.

Legacy and Influence

The 1896 Duryea Runabout was the first true example of mass production in the automotive industry. While it was not widely produced—only 13 cars were built—it represented a new direction for the automobile industry. The Duryea brothers had moved beyond the world of custom, one-off vehicles and introduced a standardized, mass-produced automobile that could be replicated for consumers.

Sadly, the Duryea Motor Wagon Company closed in 1898, and the brothers went their separate ways. Despite this, the 1896 Duryea Runabout remains an iconic piece of American automotive history. Today, it is a symbol of the pioneering spirit that laid the foundation for the modern automobile industry.

Visitors to The Henry Ford Museum can see the sole surviving 1896 Duryea Runabout, a testament to the ingenuity of the Duryea brothers and their crucial role in shaping the American automotive landscape.