Ajax Motor Vehicle Company

Last updated January 17, 2024

Ajax Motor Vehicle Company was a now-defunct American brass era electric car manufacturer established in New York City, which operated from 1901 until 1903. It produced the Ajax Electric car.^[1] Its factory was located at 220 West 36th Street, just north of the famed Macy's Department Store in Manhattan.^[1]^[2]

History

Ajax Motor Vehicle Company was formed by New York City brothers Walter Simpson and Alfred L. Simpson, with an initial capitalization of US$10,000.^[2]^[3] They set up manufacturing in July 1901, in a factory located on Manhattan's West 36th Street, not far from Macy's.^[1]

The company produced an open two-seat lightweight runabout that rode on narrow 28 inch wire wheels with pneumatic tires and optional mudguards.^[4]^[5] It was originally priced at US$1,100, but later reduced to $850.^[1]^[2] The frame of the car was similar to bicycle construction, with seamless-drawn steel tubing, joined by brazing into drop-forged lugs.^[2] The 24V electric motor was rated at 1+1⁄2 bhp and had a chain drive to the rear axle and differential. Mechanical brakes were provided on both rear axle and motor. Steering was by a crosswise tiller to the left seat.^[2]

Ajax had a display at the 1903 New York Auto Show, but closed later that year.^[2] This may have been precipitated by the 1902 collapse in the US electric car market, following dubious selling of electric car stocks, and a high-profile accident to a racing Baker. No cars were sold outside New York City.^[1]

The company's forearm and clenched fist logo predated the similar one used by Arm & Hammer.^[1] They later used the slogan, "An Honest Automobile At An Honest Price".^[2]

Today, a car in original condition could be worth in excess of $14,000.^[1]

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References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kimes, Beverly; Clark, Jr., Henry (1996). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. Krause Publications. p. 21. ISBN 978-0873414289.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Ajax Electric Automobile & The Ajax Motor Vehicle Co". American Automobiles. Archived from the original on 2010-05-30.
↑ Ingersoll, E.P. (Dec 31, 1903). The Horseless Age. Vol. 12. Horseless Age Company / Forgotten Books (reprint). p. 400. ISBN 978-0666267009.
↑ Phillips, Lou (April 11, 2011). Cars: 1895–1965. Xlibris. p. 51. ISBN 978-1456892937.
↑ Kimes and Clark, p.20 photo.

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[Kimes_Clark_21-1] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kimes, Beverly; Clark, Jr., Henry (1996). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942. Krause Publications. p. 21. ISBN 978-0873414289.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[AA,_Ajax-2] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Ajax Electric Automobile & The Ajax Motor Vehicle Co". American Automobiles. Archived from the original on 2010-05-30.

[Horseless-3] Ingersoll, E.P. (Dec 31, 1903). The Horseless Age. Vol. 12. Horseless Age Company / Forgotten Books (reprint). p. 400. ISBN 978-0666267009.

[4] Phillips, Lou (April 11, 2011). Cars: 1895–1965. Xlibris. p. 51. ISBN 978-1456892937.

[5] Kimes and Clark, p.20 photo.

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