Vehicle Description
The Elmore is a curious footnote in the annals of American
automotive history. Based in Clyde, Ohio, the company was founded
by brothers James and Burton Becker in 1902. Like many in the
pioneering days of the horseless carriage, the Beckers got their
start in the bicycle business before gradually moving into
motorized transport. Their first car, produced in 1900, featured a
single-cylinder engine mounted in the middle of the chassis. They
built about ten cars before incorporating Elmore Manufacturing
Company in 1902, the name borrowed from a parcel of land where
their father operated a stave mill. On the surface, the Beckers
were just like hundreds of other starry-eyed young entrepreneurs
vying for their part of this burgeoning market. But Elmore stood
apart as one of the earliest adopters of the two-stroke engine and
staunchly defended its merits for the entirety of the company's
existence. Early advertisements touted the Elmore as"the only
two-cylinder motor in the world that can be started without
cranking!"and all subsequent Elmore marketing featured the
tagline"the car that has no valves."The Becker brothers were
vehement evangelists for their chosen technology, and to their
credit - did not waver in their support of it, despite doubting
critics in the press. From 1902 through 1905, Elmores offered
either single or two-cylinder engines, mounted amidships in the
chassis. By 1906, Elmore introduced a redesigned model with a
front-mounted engine and either a three or four-cylinder layout.
The cars grew in size and power output, from 24 to 36 horsepower,
and they even listed a 70-horsepower tourer in 1911! Admittedly,
the power outputs were estimated and were probably considerably
underrated due to the 2-stroke engine's nature. Sales were steady,
though never stellar, and annual production peaked at 648 units
1908, thanks in large part to the three-cylinder model's popularity
as a taxicab. The novelty of Elmore's engine technology caught the
eye of Billy Durant, the infamous founder of General Motors. While
on one of his notorious buying sprees, he purchased the Elmore
company from the Becker brothers in 1909, reportedly for a generous
sum of $500,000. Unfortunately, joining the GM empire did not help
Elmore's fortunes, and the company was dissolved after 1912 in the
wake of Durant's tumultuous ouster from GM by the board of
directors. As one of only a few known survivors of the fascinating
American marque, this 1910 Elmore Model 46 Demi-Tonneau provides a
glimpse back to the early days of motoring, when engineers bristled
with creative experimentation. The Model 36 features a 254.4
cubic-inch four-cylinder, two-stroke engine, nominally rated for 36
horsepower - although the few who have experienced an Elmore
suggest they were underrated. In the mid-1960s, this car was
discovered in Altoona, Pennsylvania, by Mr. Al Shaw. Then owned by
an older man named A. McIntyre, the car was tucked in a shed for
many years, and the history file includes a 1928 Pennsylvania
registration in his name. As is the duty of any self-respecting car
enthusiast, Al Shaw offered to buy the Elmore, but McIntyre wanted
none of it. Shaw stayed in touch, but it wasn't until 1971 that he
got a call from the McIntyre family informing him the owner had
died, and the Elmore was available. Shaw made a deal to buy the
car, which was remarkably complete, but needed a full restoration.
An engineer by trade, Al painstakingly worked his way from end to
end on the Elmore, making new parts as required, including casting
new aluminum pistons and restoring the crankshaft. Aside from
fitting an electric starting system for ease of operation, Al
otherwise restored the car quite faithfully to period-correct
specification. Finally, after years of meticulous research and
labor, Al Shaw declared the restoration complete in 2009. A few
years ago, the Elmore changed hands, joining the most recent
owner's collection. During that time, it has been well maintained
in excellent condition, and its lovely presentation is a testament
to the quality of Mr. Shaw's restoration work. The body is finished
in an attractive shade of maroon, accented with black fenders, a
black chassis, and plenty of highly polished brass accessories.
Black button-tufted leather upholstery completes the authentic
looks, and like the bodywork, it is in outstanding condition.
Mechanically, the Elmore is relatively straightforward. The
inline-four feeds a conventional 3-speed sliding-gear transmission
and a Buick-sourced rear differential. Typical for the era, brakes
are fitted to the rear wheels only, supplemented by a transmission
brake. With such a sizeable 2-stroke engine, the Elmore is quite a
performer, and previous owners have claimed 50 mph is easily
achievable. It is allegedly capable of higher speeds, though nobody
has quite had the bravery to cut it loose! Even at a moderate pace,
the lack of a windscreen or weather equipment enhances the sense of
speed, giving the authentic bugs-in-the-teeth experience that makes
driving a brass-era motorcar so massively entertaining. Included in
the sale are numerous photos of the restoration, correspondence,
and research related to the Elmore company, period documents, and
more. With survivors of the Elmore marque numbering in the
single-digits, this charismatic and beautifully restored Model 36
Demi Tonneau represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of the
finest examples extant. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6775-1910-elmore-model-36-demi-tonneau/