According to the Holley Motor Cycle section of The Historical Bradford Illustrated 1901 (edited by Vernelle A. Hatch), the Holley Motor Cycle--or more correctly Holley “Auto-Bike”--was a machine of unique construction. It was a motorized bicycle that required five years of careful study and experimentation to be perfected. George Holley claimed it was “the first of its kind for practical everyday use that has yet been built.” The Holley Auto-Bike combined the conveniences of a common bicycle with the power and speed of the automobile. Holley called it “The best of both worlds without the annoyances of either.” To quote from a sales circular, “The manufacturers have deviated from the common custom of bolting a motor to some part of an ordinary bicycle and instead have made it an integral part of the frame by brazing it at the crank bracket, the lowest and strongest part of the bicycle. By this means, the motor will generate its full power and the scientific distribution of weight doing away with the vibration, will add to the durability of the machine and increase the speed and easy running qualities.”
The standard 2-1/4-hp motor could propel the Holley Auto-Bike at a rate of 35 mph over an ordinary country road of the era. It would also ascend a 20 percent grade without use of the pedals. The gasoline tank had a capacity of one gallon, which was sufficient to run the motor 50 miles. The frames were either 22- or 24-inches high and the wheels were 28 in. in diameter. All standard equipment was made especially for this machine. The Auto-Bike was manufactured in Bradford, Pennsylvania by the Holley Motor Company in a factory on Davis Street. By 1901, George said that the business that had started in September 1899 had “passed the experimental stage.” George served as chairman of the board, chief engineer and salesman. Earl was president and handled business and finance, since he had once worked as a bank teller. The factory claimed to be equipped with the best machinery and had enough capacity to produce five Auto-Bikes per day.
In 1902, the brothers put together their first 4-wheel runabout. The small but handsome car was bright red with shiny metal trim. It was called the Motorette and its manufacture marked the start of Holley Motor Co.
The Holley Motorette sold for $650. It had a 5-hp vertically-mounted water-cooled single-cylinder engine up front and weighed about 850 lbs. It featured a two-seat Runabout style body with a shovel nose front that had six slanting louvers on its sides and four louvers in front. All of the louvers had shiny brass trim. Brass-colored stripes that taper at the front flanked the upper edges of the hood. The Motorette’s bright red finish was set off by other brass trim pieces, such as a cabinet-style handle for lifting the hood, brass side lamps on the cowl, a brass inspection plate on top of the hood, a brass ornament on the outside of the dashboard, a brass steering column and brass hubcaps. The hub caps decorate red, wood-spoked artillery style wheels. A set of four 26 x 2.12 black sidewall tires was fitted.
The Motorette’s single bench seat was upholstered in tufted leather. The shiny fenders, running gear and hand brake handles were black. There was a wood steering wheel. The fuel system plumbing and a wooden coil box were mounted on the driver’s side of the red dashboard. The floor had a diamond plate deck with a rubber multi-hole mat covering it. The steering wheel and pedals were on the right. Two pedals were brass and the brake pedal was black. There was a single brass carbide or gas-fueled taillight on the right side. The exhaust pipe and muffler under the car were aluminum finished.
Historical accounts say that Holley made “over 600 cars.” Their single-cylinder, water-cooled, cast iron engines put out modest power. Holley was one of the few automakers who chose not to guess at horsepower, nor exaggerate it. Tests revealed that the Motorette engine developed 5.27 hp.
In 1902, the Holley brothers switched from car making to carburetor making, as suggested by Henry Ford. In 1903, Ford asked George Holley to make a carburetor for his Model T, the first mass-produced automobile, which sold like crazy. Holley Motor Co. was then sold to local investors, who took over in 1904
In 1902, the Holley brothers switched from car making to carburetor making, as suggested by Henry Ford. In 1903, Ford asked George Holley to make a carburetor for his Model T, the first mass-produced automobile, which sold like crazy. Holley Motor Co. was then sold to local investors, who took over in 1904
No comments:
Post a Comment