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In the machine shop known as Riverside Machine Works, in Kokomo, Indiana, brothers Elmer and Edgar Apperson were approached by Elwood P. Haynes to build an automobile. The resulting creation sported a spur gear transmission, three forward gears (NO reverse!), a friction differential, tiller steering and a floor throttle. Residents of Kokomo were introduced to this auto on July 4th, 1894. A new "independence declaration that could truly be called a "horse of a different color!" This model was eventually donated by Haynes to the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian loans the vehicle to museums and it is currently being displayed at the Haynes-Apperson Museum in Kokomo. By 1898 the Haynes-Apperson Automobile Company was producing one car every two-three weeks. Later that year they relocated from the former Riverside Machine Works location to a larger factory. Soon they were turning out three different models (for 2, 4 & 6 passengers) at a rate of 2-3 cars per week! This production rate also meant the factory was open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, two shifts per day. Haynes-Apperson production numbers increased steadily: five in 1898, 30 in 1899, 192 in 1900 and 240 in 1901. Later that year, the Appersons and Haynes dissolved their business partnership and began two individual companies. The Haynes-Apperson cars were known for their "long distance running" capabilities and were entered in race/distance competitions on a regular basis. Such early competitions included the 1899 Kokomo to New York Endurance, the Long Island Endurance, the New York to Rochester Endurance and the London to Brighton Endurance. The 1897 Haynes-Apperson "now showing" at BRV this season is one of the three produced that year. She is a six passenger surrey with a two cylinder opposed engine and a three speed, spur gear transmission. This model was capable of achieving speeds of 22 - 24 mph on pnumatic tires. At this writing, it is believed to be the fifth Haynes-Apperson ever made. ANECDOTE: A Mr. William Kjellman, of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin purchased a seven foot tall Haynes- Apperson in 1899. The first car in the state. Said Kjellman of his purchase, " The car cost $2000... There were only two makes at the time in the Middle West market, The Winton, known as the 'White Elephant' and the Haynes-Apperson Surrey - I can say truthfully that all of them were of the 'White Elephant' family, more or less related. My experience with it was mainly to keep off the road band try to hide it while the Dane County dairy farmers passed by. Perhaps more milk was spilt in passing my standing still car than for all other reasons or causes put together." (Mt. Horeb Area Historical Society) |
