The Chatham Motor Car Company was a Canadian brass era automobile manufacturer, based in Chatham, Ontario, from 1906 to 1909.Windsor Public Library online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
History The company was created in 1906.Windsor Public Library online (retrieved 13 June 2017); Rhodes, John. "Chatham was home to luxury car manufacturer that took on city's name", written 18 October 2016, at Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017) Investors included Joseph T. O'Keefe and Thomas A. Drew (partners in the O'Keefe and Drew pork retailers),Rhodes, John. "Chatham was home to luxury car manufacturer that took on city's name", written 18 October 2016, at Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017) T.K. Holmes (who became company president). W.J. Taylor (vice president), D. N. McMullen, Thomas Dillon (secretary-treasurer), J.F. Dillon (general manager).Rhodes, John. "Chatham was home to luxury car manufacturer that took on city's name", written 18 October 2016, at Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
They established a factory in a two-story building on Adelaide Street, about halfway between McGregor Creek and King Street,Rhodes, John. "Chatham was home to luxury car manufacturer that took on city's name", written 18 October 2016, at Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017) previously used by Hyslop and Ronald to build fire engines.Rhodes, John. "Car company made 35 units", written 17 June 2008, at : Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017) The plant had 40 employees.Rhodes, John. "Car company made 35 units", written 17 June 2008, at : Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
The company built only one model, the Chatham, right-hand driveRhodes, John. "Chatham was home to luxury car manufacturer that took on city's name", written 18 October 2016, at Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017) five-passenger tourer with a Rhodes, John. "Chatham was home to luxury car manufacturer that took on city's name", written 18 October 2016, at Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017) (later )Rhodes, John. "Chatham was home to luxury car manufacturer that took on city's name", written 18 October 2016, at Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017) watercooled four cylinder engine.Windsor Public Library online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
The Chatham was priced at C$2500,Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017) when the Colt Runabout was priced at US$1500,Clymer, Floyd. Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925 (New York: Bonanza Books, 1950), p.63. the FAL US$1750,Clymer, p.104. the Enger 40 and (in 1905) the Ford Model F were US$2000,Clymer, p.104. while the high-volume Oldsmobile Runabout was US$650Clymer, p.32. and (in 1907) the $700 for the Ford Model S was US$700.
Chatham did not build its own bodies, instead, they were subcontracted to William Gray & Sons, a local carriage builder.Windsor Public Library online (retrieved 13 June 2017); Rhodes, John. "Car company made 35 units", written 17 June 2008, at : Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
The car earned the loyalty of its buyers, but the company suffered financial difficulties, and in 1907, it was sued by a Detroit creditor and ultimately liquidated. Chatham dentist G. W. Cornell bought the company's assets and resumed production.Windsor Public Library online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
In 1908, a new Chatham appeared, the Chatham 30, with a new engine and "tulip-style" body.Windsor Public Library online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
The new car was entered in endurance trials and scored some successes.Windsor Public Library online (retrieved 13 June 2017) One example was driven from Arcola, Saskatchewan to Chatham by J.B. Stauffer.Windsor Public Library online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
The company sold only 35 cars, mainly to Chatham's wealthiest residents, before shutting down in 1909.Rhodes, John. "Chatham was home to luxury car manufacturer that took on city's name", written 18 October 2016, at Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017); Rhodes, John. "Chatham was home to luxury car manufacturer that took on city's name", written 18 October 2016, at Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
The factory was purchased by Detroit's Anhut Motor Car Company in 1910,Windsor Public Library online (retrieved 13 June 2017) which continued to manufacture badge engineered Chathams under its own brand.Rhodes, John. "Car company made 35 units", written 17 June 2008, at : Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
The factory building still stood in the 1960s.Rhodes, John. "Car company made 35 units", written 17 June 2008, at : Chatham This Week online (retrieved 13 June 2017)
Notes
See also List of defunct automobile manufacturers