The history of automobiles begins on July 3, 1886. On this date, the first useable car, developed by German engineer Karl Benz (1844-1929), made its appearance. In 1893, Benz’s “horseless carriage” appeared at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and triggered the beginning of the automobile industry and the public’s fascination with cars.
The LeMay Family Collections at Marymount in Tacoma, Washington is the Northwest’s largest automobile collection. There are more than 1,500 vehicles in the collection. The museum is on historic grounds of former Marymount Military Academy and vehicles are displayed and stored in three buildings. Shown below are some of the cars from before 1910.
1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen (replica)
This is the first of 100 replicas produced by Daimler Benz in 1985 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first automobile. It is powered by a water-cooled, single-cylinder, rear-mounted engine. The rack-and-pinion steering is operated by a tiller rather than a wheel.
1899 Baldwin Steamer
The Baldwin Steamer required about 20 minutes to build up enough pressure to drive the car and then it had to stop about every 20 miles to add water to the boiler. The boiler is located under the front seat.
1903 Oldsmobile Model A Curved Dash (replica)
This was the first mass-produced American car. It sold new for $650. From 1901 through 1903, a total of 6,849 were produced.
1907 Locomobile Model E
Locomobile built cars from 1900 to 1929 in Watertown, Massachusetts. The Model E launched their reputation as a premier builder of gas automobiles. It has an inline 4-cylinder, 20 horsepower engine.
1909 Parry Model 42 Touring Car
Less than 1,000 Parry automobiles were produced between 1909 and 1911. This is one of two Parrys known to have survived. It has a 290 cubic inch, 40 horsepower engine with a 3-speed transmission.
1909 Buick Model 10 Touring
This car sold new for $1,050. The total Buick production for 1909 was 8,149 automobiles. This car has an inline 4-cylinder, 165 cubic inch, 23 horsepower engine.
More early automobiles
America's Car Museum: Some luxury cars from the 1910s (photo diary)
America's Car Museum: Cars from the 1910s (photo diary)
America's Car Museum: Cars before 1910 (photo diary)
WAAAM: Automobiles Before 1910 (Photo Diary)
WAAAM: Automobiles of the 1910s (Photo Diary)
Truck Museum: Trucks Before 1920 (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Early Fords in the Classic Auto Museum (Photo Diary)
Packard Museum: Early Packards (photo diary)