Bour-Davis
| Company type | Automobile manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1916 in Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Founder | Robert C. Davis, Charles J. Bour |
| Defunct | 1923 |
| Fate | Production ceased; manufacturing rights acquired by various companies |
| Headquarters | Detroit (initially), later Frankfort, Indiana; then Shreveport, Louisiana , United States |
| Products | Automobiles (Model 17, 18B, 20, 21, 21S) |
| Parent | Louisiana Motor Car Company (from 1918), later Ponder Motor Manufacturing Company (1923) |
The Bour-Davis was a United States-made automobile manufactured from 1916 until 1922, bearing the names of its creators, Robert C. Davis and Charles J. Bour. Production initially commenced in Detroit, but in 1917, operations were transferred to Frankfort, Indiana. The manufacturing rights were later obtained in 1918 by the Louisiana Motor Car Company, which relocated production to Cedar Grove, Louisiana. The Model 17 and Model 18B were distinguished by their slightly inclined, pointed radiators. Pricing started between $1250 and $1500 in 1916 and increased to $1650 by 1919.
Following the acquisition by the Shadburne Brothers from Chicago in 1917, manufacturing was moved to Frankfort, Indiana. Although intentions to produce vehicles under their own designs were announced, these plans probably never came to fruition. Subsequently, the sale to the Louisiana Motor Car Company resulted in shifting production to Shreveport, Louisiana, where manufacturing persisted until 1923.
The Louisiana Motor Car Company promoted the Bour-Davis as the "Pride of Shreveport" and even organized a naming contest; though "Louisianne" was chosen, it was never officially adopted. Unique characteristics included a radiator set forward of the front axle and leather upholstery that extended from the front seat over its top down to the rear floor. The Model 21 and Model 21S were equipped with Continental Straight-6 engines, with prices ranging from $1700 for the 1920 Model 20 tourer up to $2300 for the 1922 Model 21S tourer.
In 1923, JM Ponder's Ponder Motor Manufacturing Company assumed control but lacked sufficient capital to restart production. Overall, approximately 1,500 Bour-Davis automobiles were manufactured between 1916 and 1922.