Earl (automobile)
Encyclopedia
The Earl was an automobile manufactured in Jackson, Michigan
by Earl Motors Incorporated from 1921-23. The Earl was a continuation of the Briscoe
. It was offered in both open and closed models with a four-cylinder
engine. Approximately 2,000 vehicles were produced. When the Earl debuted in 1921, it cost just $1485.
Benjamin Briscoe
appointed Clarence A. Earl as president
of Briscoe Motor Corporation in March 1921. Earl had previously been vice-president of Willys-Overland. Briscoe suddenly left in October of the same year, tired of all the misfortune he had suffered in the automotive field to date. He left his car and company to Earl. Earl then announced to the press that he would be forming Earl Motors and bringing out a new four-cylinder car. This was really just the Briscoe car with small modifications to solve some of its problems, as well as being slightly larger and more powerful.
Earl assumed many problems with the company, not least of which was one and a half million dollars of debt. Luckily, Clarence Earl easily raised more capital from bankers. On the Earl Motors board
were several bankers, as well as executives from various supplier firms. Included in the latter group was George C. Scobie, who had been with Price-Waterhouse
and Hayes Wheel Company, and was now vice-president of the new organization. Clarence Earl developed disagreements with all these board members over the future path of his company, and resigned in November 1922. He then became president of National. Earl had wanted to become a high-volume producer, while the rest of the board preferred a lower-volume, more fiscally conservative approach.
The bankers and supplier executives now took over the company, with George Scobie as president They promptly reorganized as the Earl Motor Manufacturing Company in early 1923. The new company was capitalized
at one million dollars. Soon, this group failed in pursuing their favored lower-volume approach, taking the company down with them. Early in 1924, servicing rights to the now defunct Earl were sold to Standard Motor Parts Company of Detroit.
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
by Earl Motors Incorporated from 1921-23. The Earl was a continuation of the Briscoe
Briscoe
The Briscoe was an American automobile manufactured at Jackson, Michigan by a group headed by Benjamin Briscoe.A few months after his departure from the United States Motor Company in 1913, Benjamin Briscoe established a manufacturing plant at Billancourt, France to design and manufacture the first...
. It was offered in both open and closed models with a four-cylinder
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
engine. Approximately 2,000 vehicles were produced. When the Earl debuted in 1921, it cost just $1485.
Benjamin Briscoe
Benjamin Briscoe
Benjamin Briscoe was born in Detroit, Michigan and was an automobile pioneer and industrialist.Briscoe entered business for himself at age of 18 with capital of $472, organizing the firm of Benjamin Briscoe & Co. to manufacture sheet-metal stampings. This later became part of the American Can...
appointed Clarence A. Earl as president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Briscoe Motor Corporation in March 1921. Earl had previously been vice-president of Willys-Overland. Briscoe suddenly left in October of the same year, tired of all the misfortune he had suffered in the automotive field to date. He left his car and company to Earl. Earl then announced to the press that he would be forming Earl Motors and bringing out a new four-cylinder car. This was really just the Briscoe car with small modifications to solve some of its problems, as well as being slightly larger and more powerful.
Earl assumed many problems with the company, not least of which was one and a half million dollars of debt. Luckily, Clarence Earl easily raised more capital from bankers. On the Earl Motors board
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
were several bankers, as well as executives from various supplier firms. Included in the latter group was George C. Scobie, who had been with Price-Waterhouse
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
and Hayes Wheel Company, and was now vice-president of the new organization. Clarence Earl developed disagreements with all these board members over the future path of his company, and resigned in November 1922. He then became president of National. Earl had wanted to become a high-volume producer, while the rest of the board preferred a lower-volume, more fiscally conservative approach.
The bankers and supplier executives now took over the company, with George Scobie as president They promptly reorganized as the Earl Motor Manufacturing Company in early 1923. The new company was capitalized
Market capitalization
Market capitalization is a measurement of the value of the ownership interest that shareholders hold in a business enterprise. It is equal to the share price times the number of shares outstanding of a publicly traded company...
at one million dollars. Soon, this group failed in pursuing their favored lower-volume approach, taking the company down with them. Early in 1924, servicing rights to the now defunct Earl were sold to Standard Motor Parts Company of Detroit.