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Pathfinder (1912 automobile)
Encyclopedia
The Pathfinder was a Brass Era car
built in Indianapolis, Indiana
from 1912 to 1917.
After the Parry Auto Company
passed into receivership in 1910, the Motor Car Manufracturing Company was created by its creditors. That particular name was chosen as they had not decided what to name their new automobile
. Indeed the New Parry continued to be produced until a little after the new Pathfinder was introduced in 1912. Board members included former or then-current officials from the Parry Auto Company, Dayton Motor Car Company
, American Ball Bearing Company, and Standard Oil
. Great things were expected from such a strong group of businessmen.
One of the advertising slogans of the Pathfinder was "known for reliability," but an equally high emphasis was placed on the appearances of the vehicles themselves. Examples of the latter included a boattail speedster (nearly two decades before the more famous Auburn
of the same layout), a paneled storage area for the roadster
's top, and vibrant paint color combinations. The Royal Automobile Club
of England issued a certificate of performance to the Pathfinder for its strong performance in a time trial
in 1912 covering the breadth of the isle of Great Britain
, proving the cars were as durable as they were beautiful. Other long-distance outings of note included one man and his chauffeur
covering 10,000 miles in the United States
with no breakdowns, as well as a Pathfinder 12 driven by Walter Weidely (son of George Weidely, the designer of the engine
under the hood
) cross-country for a total of 4921 miles. Engines in Pathfinders started with four-cylinder
engines, proceeded to six-cylinders, before culminating in Weideley 12-cylinder engines in 1916. The V-12
engined cars were called "Pathfinder the Great, King of the Twelves."
The main market for Pathfinder was producing cars for export to pre-war Russia. The beginning of World War I closed this market and Pathfinder was forced to refocus on the highly competitive US market.
Wartime
shortages of materials financially hindered the Pathfinder company. At the beginning of 1917, it was rumored that Pathfinder would merge with Empire
. Instead, the company was gone by years end, and a new company moved in to the factory to make shoe polish
.
The San Diego Automotive Museum
has a 1912 Pathfinder Model E in their collection. All other surviving examples are in private collections.
Brass Era car
The automotive Brass Era is the first period of automotive manufacturing, named for the prominent brass fittings used during this time for such things as lights and radiators. It extends from the first commercial automobiles marketed in the 1890s until about World War I...
built in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
from 1912 to 1917.
After the Parry Auto Company
Parry Auto Company
The Parry and New Parry were both Brass Era cars built in Indianapolis, Indiana by the Parry Auto Company.For almost two decades prior to the official release of his Parry car in 1910, David MacLean Parry experimented making other cars...
passed into receivership in 1910, the Motor Car Manufracturing Company was created by its creditors. That particular name was chosen as they had not decided what to name their new automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
. Indeed the New Parry continued to be produced until a little after the new Pathfinder was introduced in 1912. Board members included former or then-current officials from the Parry Auto Company, Dayton Motor Car Company
Stoddard-Dayton
Stoddard-Dayton was a high quality car manufactured by Dayton Motor Car Company in Dayton, Ohio, USA, between 1905 and 1913. John W. Stoddard and his son Charles G...
, American Ball Bearing Company, and Standard Oil
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
. Great things were expected from such a strong group of businessmen.
One of the advertising slogans of the Pathfinder was "known for reliability," but an equally high emphasis was placed on the appearances of the vehicles themselves. Examples of the latter included a boattail speedster (nearly two decades before the more famous Auburn
Auburn Automobile
Auburn was a brand name of American automobiles produced from 1900 through 1936.-Corporate history:The Auburn Automobile Company grew out of the Eckhart Carriage Company, founded in Auburn, Indiana, in 1875 by Charles Eckhart...
of the same layout), a paneled storage area for the roadster
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
's top, and vibrant paint color combinations. The Royal Automobile Club
Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club is a private club and is not to be confused with RAC plc, a motorists' organisation, which it formerly owned.It has two club houses, one in London at 89-91 Pall Mall, and the other in the countryside at Woodcote Park, Surrey, next to the City of London Freemen's School...
of England issued a certificate of performance to the Pathfinder for its strong performance in a time trial
Time trial
In many racing sports an athlete will compete in a time trial against the clock to secure the fastest time. In cycling, for example, a time trial can be a single track cycling event, or an individual or team time trial on the road, and either or both of the latter may form components of...
in 1912 covering the breadth of the isle of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, proving the cars were as durable as they were beautiful. Other long-distance outings of note included one man and his chauffeur
Chauffeur
A chauffeur is a person employed to drive a passenger motor vehicle, especially a luxury vehicle such as a large sedan or limousine.Originally such drivers were always personal servants of the vehicle owner, but now in many cases specialist chauffeur service companies, or individual drivers provide...
covering 10,000 miles in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with no breakdowns, as well as a Pathfinder 12 driven by Walter Weidely (son of George Weidely, the designer of the engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
under the hood
Hood (vehicle)
The hood or bonnet is the hinged cover over the engine of motor vehicles that allows access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair. In British terminology, hood refers to a fabric cover over the passenger compartment of the car...
) cross-country for a total of 4921 miles. Engines in Pathfinders started with 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...
engines, proceeded to six-cylinders, before culminating in Weideley 12-cylinder engines in 1916. The V-12
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engined cars were called "Pathfinder the Great, King of the Twelves."
The main market for Pathfinder was producing cars for export to pre-war Russia. The beginning of World War I closed this market and Pathfinder was forced to refocus on the highly competitive US market.
Wartime
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
shortages of materials financially hindered the Pathfinder company. At the beginning of 1917, it was rumored that Pathfinder would merge with Empire
Empire (1910 automobile)
The Empire was an American automobile manufactured from 1910 until 1919. Marketed as "the little aristocrat", the Empire 20 was a four-cylinder shaft-driven runabout built in Indianapolis. The model "A" was a conventional runabout for three passengers with a rumble seat...
. Instead, the company was gone by years end, and a new company moved in to the factory to make shoe polish
Shoe polish
Shoe polish , usually a waxy paste or a cream, is a consumer product used to polish, shine, waterproof, and restore the appearance of leather shoes or boots, thereby extending the footwear's life...
.
The San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Automotive Museum
The San Diego Automotive Museum in San Diego, California is a museum that features a collection of cars and motorcycles that highlight automotive culture throughout history...
has a 1912 Pathfinder Model E in their collection. All other surviving examples are in private collections.