The Cameron was an American automobile manufactured by the Cameron Car Company of Rhode Island from 1902 to 1906, then in Brockton, Massachusetts, from 1906 to 1908, then in Beverly, Massachusetts, from 1909 to 1915, Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1919, and finally in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1920.[1] No cars were produced from 1915 to 1918.[1] The company made two-, four-, and six-cylinder models.[2] A 1909 Cameron Six phaeton exists in good condition in Washington state in a private collection, and a 1903 Cameron Runabout exists in the Reno Automobile Museum.[3] In addition, a few collectors have spare parts, such as incomplete engines.
History
United Motor Corporation (1903-1904)
Everett Cameron would begin his automotive career designing steam cars. He would begin work with the Eclipse Automobile Company in Easton Massachusetts, the company would make a small steam runabout, but would fail shortly after in 1903. Before the firm failed however Everett would move on to another New England startup, this time with a company called the Taunton Automobile Company in Taunton Massachusetts. Taunton, like Eclipse, would manufacture a small steam runabout, and also just like Eclipse would fail in just a few years going bankrupt in 1905.[1]
Before Taunton would go out of business Everett would jump ship and with his brother Forrest create a new company to sell an automobile with his own name. In 1902 the United Motor Corporation would be formed to sell the Cameron car.
James Brown Machine Company (1904-1905)
In November of 1904 it would be announced that the James Brown Machine Company would succeed the United Motor Corporation and continue to build cars under the Cameron brand. The James W. Brown Company was formed in 1829 and was in the business of making textile machinery. For the 1905 selling season the new company hoped to produce 800 cars. [1]
Models
Cameron Light Gasoline Car (1903-1903)
The first model that would use the Cameron name would be a very unusual 600 pound runabout described in the trade journals as "The Cameron Light Gasoline Car". The model would be a very small with no roof or windshield. The most notable feature of the car would be the air cooled engine sticking out of the hood. The engine would be tiny (around 47 cubic inches) and have an operating rpm of 1,200 and 5 horsepower. A two speed sliding gear transmission was used. Wire wheels would be offered which were 28 inches wide, and the wheelbase was 72 inches. The car was unusual in that it was built for left hand drive when right hand drive was still very common in the United States. Production number are unclear, but parts for 100 cars were ordered in advance of sales. This model would be built in Pawtucket RI.[12]
Cameron (1904-1904)
For 1904 the Cameron would undergo significant changes, the most notable was that the engine was no longer poking out of the hood. Two body styles were available for 1904, a runabout, and a rear entrance tonneau. Prices were $650 for the runabout, and 750 for the tonneau. A top could be bought for an extra $50. The single would again be a single cylinder air cooled motor. The transmission would have two forward speeds and a reverse. The wheels would be made of hickory as opposed to the wire wheels on the earlier model.
See also
- Brass Era car