Duryea Motor Carriage, 1893

Duryea Motor Carriage, 1893

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Description
This experimental vehicle is one of the earliest American-made automobiles. On September 21, 1893, Frank Duryea road-tested the vehicle – a second-hand carriage with a gasoline engine – in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1896, Frank, his brother Charles, and financial backers founded the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, the first American company that manufactured and sold automobiles. Thirteen production models were made; the only surviving example is in the collection of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. This forerunner was donated to the Smithsonian in 1920 and was restored in 1958.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
automobile
date made
1893-1894
maker
Duryea, Charles E.
Duryea, J. Frank
Associated Place
United States: Massachusetts
Physical Description
steel (overall material)
rubber (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 81 in x 64 in x 97 in; 205.74 cm x 162.56 cm x 246.38 cm
ID Number
TR.307199
accession number
65715
catalog number
307199
Credit Line
Gift of Inglis M. Uppercu
See more items in
Work and Industry: Transportation, Road
Automobiles
America on the Move
Transportation
Road Transportation
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

There were 13 built and they assume that is the last surviving one in storage at the museum. The top as well as the entire car was black.

William Duryea

Mon, 2022-01-10 09:28

Can you tell me the colors of the canopy and the body of the 1893 Duryea.

Nancy Sharp

Mon, 2019-07-15 15:55

"As a history docent at the Museum of Springfield History, we often talk about the "model " of the 1893 Duryea that was build by a Springfield teacher and that we have on display in the museum.Does the Smithsonian have the "original " car - or do you have a copy also? I believe only 1 car was ever manufactured.Thank you for your assistance."

Theresa R. Augusti

Wed, 2016-02-10 11:08

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