Michigan

The Michigan was a brass era automobile manufactured in Kalamazoo, Michigan from 1904 to 1913 by the Michigan Buggy Company and its subsidiary the Michigan Motor Car Company. History The Michigan Buggy Company founded in 1883 By M. Henry Lane and Frank B. Lay was a major producer of buggies, carriages and wagons. In 1904 it motorized one of its buggies and offered the high-wheeler for $450. The car was powered by a single-cylinder 3 1/2 hp engine, the wheelbase was 54-inches, the tread 36-inches and it had a two-speed transmission which had no reverse. This motor buggy was offered on a limited basis, occasionally under the name of Kalamazoo, but more often as the Michigan. Michigan Motor Car Company Serious production of an automobile did not begin until 1911 with the formation of the Michigan Motor Car Company. Involved in this venture were company officials Victor L. Palmer, Frank B. Lay, Jr. and George T. Lay. W. H. Cameron, who had been an engineer for both Willys-Overland and Flanders designed the new car. A coachwork designer, John A. Campbell, styled the body. The first car Model B was assembled from outside parts including the 40 horsepower engines from Buda Engine Co. and Falls Engine Co. The coachwork was done by Michigan Buggy Co. and the car originally was on a 112-inch wheelbase. It had leather upholstery and a 22-coat paint finish of 'golden auto brown' with a price of $1,750.