Acme (automobile)
 |
|
| Industry | Automobile |
|---|---|
| Genre | Touring cars |
| Fate | Sold to SGV (1911) |
| Predecessor | Reber Manufacturing Company |
| Successor | SGV Company |
| Founded | 1903 |
| Defunct | 1911 |
| Headquarters | Reading, Pennsylvania |
|
Key people
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James C. Reber (founder) Herbert M.Sternbergh Robert E.Graham Fred Van Tine |
| Products | automobiles bicycles |
The Acme was a make of American automobiles made in Reading, Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1911. They were the successor of the Reber which was made from 1902 to 1903 by Reber Manufacturing.
In June 1903 James C Reber acquired the old Acme Machine Company's bicycle factory on the corner of Eighth and Elm Streets, Reading for US$47,000 at a receivership auction of the American Bicycle Company. Reber owned Reber Manufacturing, an automobile manufacturer, and stated that he was going to use the factory to manufacture automobiles. With the purchase of this site Reber also announced that Reber Manufacturing was changing its name to the Acme Motor Car Company. The company's directors were James C Reber, George D Horst, Jacob Noble, and John D Horst. The company had $200,000 capital.
Acme exhibited its cars at the Chicago Automobile Shows from 1904 to 1907. The company was one of the founding members of the American Motor Car Manufacturers Association.
In November 1905 the company was taken over by Frank A Devlin of Devlin and Co, Chicago. Devlin owned Carson, Pirie, Scott, and Co one of America's largest jobbing houses. The purchase price was rumored to have been $250,000. The new owners intended to specialize in tourist cars (a touring car, limousine, and landaulettte) and delivery wagons.
In October 1908 Devlin was killed in an automobile accident.
James C Reber went to work for the Keystone Wagon Works in February 1907 as General Manager on a 10-year contract, but they went into receivership in November sparking a lawsuit from Reber which he won. Reber went into poultry farming from that period until 1911, when he began a wholesale tobacco business. Reber died after a period of illness in 1933 aged 65.
The firm went into receivership in July 1906 with Daniell J Driscoll appointed receiver by the Court. The plant was kept in operation by the receiver to ensure a reasonable return to its debtors. The business was sold in February 1907 by the receiver to Herbert M Sternbergh for $65,881.12. Sternbergh held interests in the Duryea Power Company. The registered capital was reduced to $5,000.
Acme introduced its first 6-cylinder car, a touring car called the Sextuplet, at the New York motor show in September 1907. Acme also increased its involvement in motor racing through 1908. In 1909 it introduced a 10-year guarantee on its 6-cylinder models.
In May 1909 an ocean to ocean endurance race, from New York to Seattle was proposed. Sternbergh strongly supported the idea, especially as it would draw attention to the poor condition of transcontinental roading. He hoped it would lead to significant improvements.
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Wikipedia