The Benton Harbor automobile was a car produced in the early 20th century. It was manufactured by the Benton Harbor Motor Car Company, which was based in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The Benton Harbor Motor Car Company was founded by William H. Jackson, a local businessman and entrepreneur. This is the very first automobile built in Michigan. Fifteen years later, Detroit was the automotive capital of the world. This wasn’t evolution — it was revolution. It was disruptive technology that changed virtually every aspect of American life.
The Benton Harbor lineup included various models, such as touring cars and roadsters. These vehicles were designed to appeal to both individual consumers and commercial buyers. The cars were relatively advanced for their time, featuring improvements in suspension and engine design. They aimed to offer a reliable and comfortable driving experience.
Key Points about the Benton Harbor Automobile:
- Production Period: The Benton Harbor automobile was produced from 1914 to 1915.
- Decline: Despite its initial success, the Benton Harbor Motor Car Company faced financial difficulties and ceased operations after a relatively short production run. This brief period of production reflected the competitive and often volatile nature of the early American automotive industry.
New York City went from horses to horseless in less than fifteen years. Disruption in automobility is again on the agenda. Will we be safer with driverless cars as first envisioned sixty years ago? Will we love cars with less weight and less room that use far less energy? How will companies collaborate to realize the power of less? These are some of the questions to contemplate as we face dramatic changes in The Future of Automobility.
Courtesy of Antique Automobile Club of America Museum