Vehicle Description
Like a great many small American car manufacturers that sprang up
at the turn of the 20th century, The Mitchell Motor Car Company of
Racine, Wisconsin started life as a wagon builder. The company's
ancestry traces back to the 1820s, when it was known as the
Mitchell Wagon Co. of Fort Dearborn - a place better known by its
later name - Chicago. The company moved to Wisconsin in 1837, first
to Kenosha and then to Racine where it remained through 1923. By
the 1890s, they were building bicycles under the "Wisconsin Wheel
Works" name and at the turn of the century, made an unsuccessful
attempt at a motorcycle. Three years later, they moved on to four
wheels with a small single-cylinder horseless carriage that proved
to be much more successful than the motorcycle. By 1904, two car
models were offered of either 7hp or 16hp, and the company was
reincorporated as The Mitchell Motor Car Company. That year, 82
cars were built and the company homed in on a formula for success.
For 1905, Mitchell replaced the epicyclic (planetary) transmissions
with conventional 3-speed units and, somewhat curiously, offered
customers the choice of either water or air cooling on the engines.
By 1907, all engines were water cooled, and the chassis were shaft
driven (as opposed to chain) and fitted with either Touring or
Runabout bodies. Three models were available, 20hp, 24/30hp and
35hp and sales finally broke into four figures with 1377 examples
sold. Soon, The Mitchell Car Company�began shipping worldwide. A
Mitchell distributor opened in Paris, creating a central hub for
shipment to other countries in Europe. Mitchell also shipped
to�Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guatemala, Brazil, Ecuador,
Chile, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Romania, South Africa,
Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, and Hawaii. The Mitchell was
soon known around the world for its quality. Mitchell even offered
a rental program through their New York dealership, where a car -
with a driver - could be hired for $5.00 a day or $500 a month.
Sales gradually increased over the years, peaking in 1916, as
six-cylinder and even a V8 model filled out the company's
portfolio. �But by the early 1920s, as with many small volume
manufacturers, competition with the big Detroit auto makers was
taking its toll, and the sudden death of the company's leader send
Mitchell into a rapid decline. The company folded in 1923, and the
plant and assets were sold off to Nash. This delightful 1907
Mitchell Model E runabout is a very fine example from this rare and
seldom-seen American marque, and is one of only five known by the
Mitchell club. This water-cooled model wears an older restoration
that presents quite well, remaining attractive and with a surplus
of charm. The blue main body is contrasted with black fenders and
upholstery. Contrasting the body are a light-cream colored frame
and wheels while alternating cream and blue coach stripes tie it
together nicely. The bodywork and paint are in very tidy and
attractive condition, showing only some care wear. Of course, this
is a "brass era" automobile so it doesn't disappoint with plenty of
accessories that have been recently polished to a beautiful luster.
Brass adorns many body fittings, the windscreen frame and of course
the radiator which is flanked by two large brass headlamps.
Beautiful Corcoran coach lamps are affixed to the cowl and a
Prestolite acetylene tank rides outboard on the driver's side. In
the rear is found an E&J tricolor tail lamp and a "turtle back"
trunk. Proper pyramid linoleum lines the floors and the folding top
is trimmed in black canvas, all of which present in very tidy and
well-preserved condition. The Mitchell four cylinder engine is a
rather interesting affair with its exposed valvetrain. This example
is extremely tidy and well kept under the hood and again
demonstrates the care this example has received since its
restoration. Fans of early, brass-era automobiles will certainly
delight in this wonderful little motorcar. It is rare, charming and
yet thoroughly usable thanks to its small and approachable size. It
would certainly be a welcome participant in VMCCA and Horseless
Carriage Club tours, local shows or any other similar event.
