Indiana Automotive Heritage (TM)
Automotive History - Back Home in Indiana!
Indiana was home for some of the greatest of the great classic American cars, Stutz, Duesenberg, Marmon, and more.
The great cars,
famous people, places, and important automotive milestones are all here at The Center for Automotive History. The Center for Automotive History the exclusive home of Indiana Automotive Heritage (TM).
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Indiana Automotive History
like never seen before, fascinating stories and tales from long ago brought to live complete with
pictures and period music. Newly revealed information, never before seen images, and more. The Center for Automotive History will put you in
the driver's seat for a new experience in Indiana Automotive History!
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Unknown Indiana Auto History! (TM)
Indiana has a rich automotive heritage going back to the first days of the then truly horseless carriage. But until now there has not been a focused, in-depth study of the great names, places, and events of Indiana Automotive History. Much has been overlooked, much left undone, and until now much has remained unknown. And, unfortunately, much of what has been written, while no doubt well intended, has been misinformed, mistaken, or has been based on an incomplete picture of the many true stories of the Indiana built automobile and Indiana Automotive History.
So now it's time for the "rest of the story!" The Center for Automotive History, through its Indiana Automotive Heritage Program (TM), will bring little known stories of the pioneers and creators of the Indiana built automobile. New facts and information gathered in over 20 years of focused research on the proud tradition of the Indiana built automobile will soon be revealed. In the weeks and months to come a series of Center events and live and media based presentations will bring Indiana Automotive History alive. And as a well known TV sergeant famously used to say, it will be "just the facts Ma'am!"
So now it's time for the "rest of the story!" The Center for Automotive History, through its Indiana Automotive Heritage Program (TM), will bring little known stories of the pioneers and creators of the Indiana built automobile. New facts and information gathered in over 20 years of focused research on the proud tradition of the Indiana built automobile will soon be revealed. In the weeks and months to come a series of Center events and live and media based presentations will bring Indiana Automotive History alive. And as a well known TV sergeant famously used to say, it will be "just the facts Ma'am!"
If 4 wheels are good, 6 are better and 8 better yet! The multi-wheel creations of Milton Reeves of Columbus, Indiana
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Like all decades, the first ten years of the twentieth century had its
fair share of inventors and innovators ready to supply answers to the great
problems of the day. It was the day and age of bad roads and simple automobile
suspensions, so the problem of constant flat tires was all too familiar for
the average motorist.
So why not have more tires on the ground to carry the weight of the vehicle and its load? Seemed like a real good idea to some in 1911 including Milton O. Reeves of Columbus, Indiana. Nor was his Reeves Octoauto eight wheeler the only such multi-wheel giant to be tried. There were other similar attempts made based on the same basic idea, that more wheels on the road was the way to go. And at that, the Reeves eight wheel effort had been proceeded by a not so quite as large 6 wheeled automobile! Reeves brought his new car to the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race on Memorial Day 1911. The lower picture to the left shows the car at Monument Circle in Indianapolis where it no doubt made quite a statement if nothing else than for its shear size. But none the less than well-known writer and editor Elbert Hubbard, who would later die in the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, praised the car for its comfort and durability. After all, eight tires would last longer than four wouldn't they? Clearly most would agree that the tale of Mr. Reeve's leviathan of the highway would qualify as being an example of the True and Truly Amazing Stories of Indiana Automotive History (TM). But in fact Reeves built both automobile engines "for the trade" and complete automobiles that not only were more conventional (and practical) than his giant 8 wheel car, they were far more successful. Although the Reeves automobile products are all but unknown today, the Reeves Company had a long and successful history with industrial products, some utilizing similar technologies as his automobiles, until merging with Reliance Electric & Engineering in 1955. |
There will be more of the story of Mr. Reeves and his automobiles in an upcoming issue of The Center for Automotive History's Automotive Heritage Quarterly Newsletter (TM). The Reeves Octoauto is just one example of true but truly amazing Indiana Automotive History!
Indiana Automotive Heritage (TM)
North, South, East, and West, from Columbus to South Bend, Evansville to Auburn, and Richmond to Terre Haute, Indiana had a key role in the early years of the automotive industry. Now The Center for Automotive History will retell the great stories and tales from long ago including many believe it or not accounts of strange and wonderful vehicles,gas, electric, steam, and even compressed air automobiles, Indiana produced them all. The Center for Automotive History will through its presentations, events, and materials bring Indiana Automotive History to life.
The rich tradition and long history of the Indiana built automobile will be told as never before with images of people and places not seen for decades It will truly be a new day in Indiana automotive history! The sights and sounds of Indiana Automotive history comes to life in a unique and dynamic way, and only at The Center for Automotive History. Indiana Automotive Heritage (TM). the true and factual story of Indiana's role in the development of the modern automobile and the building of modern day America. And only at The Center for Automotive History!
The rich tradition and long history of the Indiana built automobile will be told as never before with images of people and places not seen for decades It will truly be a new day in Indiana automotive history! The sights and sounds of Indiana Automotive history comes to life in a unique and dynamic way, and only at The Center for Automotive History. Indiana Automotive Heritage (TM). the true and factual story of Indiana's role in the development of the modern automobile and the building of modern day America. And only at The Center for Automotive History!
All Content the sole property of The Center for Automotive History 2014