Moline Automobile Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automobile manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Root & Van Dervoort Engineering Company |
| Founded | 1903 |
| Founder | William H. Van Dervoort, Orlando J. Root |
| Defunct | 1924 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy and liquidation |
| Successor | Parr Instrument Company (recapitalized in 1925) |
| Headquarters | East Moline , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | William H. Van Dervoort, Orlando J. Root |
| Products | Automobiles (Moline, Dreadnought Moline, Moline-Knight, R & V Knight) |
| Parent | Root & Van Dervoort Engineering Company (after 1917) |
The Moline Automobile Company (operating from 1904 to 1924) was a prominent American manufacturer during the brass era of automobiles, headquartered in East Moline, Illinois. The firm produced cars under several brand names, including Moline, Dreadnought Moline, Moline-Knight, and R & V Knight.
Origins
William H. Van Dervoort and Orlando J. Root, both graduates with Bachelor of Science degrees from Michigan State University in 1893, founded the company. Van Dervoort further attained a master's degree at Cornell University and held a position as assistant professor at Illinois State. In 1899, the duo launched the Root & Van Dervoort Engineering Company, specializing in the manufacture of stationary and portable gas engines, rapidly increasing production to more than 12,000 units annually.
Moline automobiles
In November 1903, Root & Van Dervoort established the Moline Automobile Company to enter the market for mid-sized automobiles. The earliest 1904 models were equipped with a proprietary 2-cylinder engine delivering 12 horsepower, while a more powerful 4-cylinder engine was introduced in 1905. The smaller two-cylinder opposed engine continued as an entry-level option until 1907.
By 1907, yearly output exceeded 500 vehicles. The four-cylinder engine at that time produced 20 horsepower and was priced at $1,750 (roughly equivalent to $58,000 today). That same year saw East Moline officially incorporated as a city within the industrial Quad Cities region.
The Model S of 1909 evolved into the Model M, featuring a 35-horsepower four-cylinder engine and offered until 1914 at a price of $1,500. The larger Model K, boasting 40 horsepower, participated in the prestigious Glidden Tours of 1909 and 1910 and secured the Chicago-based Hower trophy in 1909. To accommodate increased production demands, Root & Van Dervoort upgraded their factory in 1910 by installing heated concrete flooring and constructing a concrete-paved test track.
Dreadnought Moline
Moline engineered one of the earliest long-stroke four-cylinder gasoline engines, which enhanced both power output and reliability. Marketed under the name Dreadnought Molines with the tagline "The Car of Unfailing Service", the Model M became their sole model from 1911 onward, available with either a 35-horsepower or 40-horsepower engine. The radiator badge displayed a crown featuring a relief image of the 1906 battleship Dreadnought. In the 1911 Five State Chicago Endurance Run, three Dreadnought Molines won the team category; additionally, one tied for first place in the touring car division and another secured victory in the roadster class.
To meet increasing demand and clear order backlogs, Root & Vandervoort Engineering Company expanded its manufacturing plant in 1911 with plans to produce up to 20,000 R & V Triumph engines.
Moline-Knight
Produced between 1913 and 1919, the Moline-Knight was powered by a monobloc four-cylinder Knight sleeve-valve engine delivering 50 horsepower. This engine was recognized for its quieter operation despite consuming more oil. It featured a three-speed transmission integrated into the unit and completed an unprecedented continuous test lasting 337 hours at the Automobile Club of America. Moline Automobile retained a leading Chicago advertising agency to promote both the engine and vehicle; concurrently, Bosch advertised their magnetos and spark plugs used during testing. By 1915, sales had climbed beyond 900 units.
The 1914 Moline-Knight introduced a streamlined body mounted on a pressed-steel chassis along with Wagner Electric starting and lighting systems and wire-spoked wheels. The company employed English engineer A. F. Marshall—formerly with Daimler—as engine inspector. The redesigned radiator emblem depicted Sir Galahad as a symbol of quality excellence alongside the slogan "The "Four" that makes the "Six" unnecessary".
In 1914, W. H. Vandervoort succeeded Henry M. Leland (founder of Cadillac and Lincoln) as President of the Society of Automobile Engineers. The following year brought the introduction of Model 40 at $1,475—the most affordable Knight engine car available at that time.
During World War I, Root & Vandervoort shifted focus toward munitions manufacturing for both the British Empire and later U.S. forces, expanding their facilities for ordnance production. William Van Dervoort served on critical wartime committees and contributed to post-war European reconstruction efforts despite declining health.
In 1917, the Moline Automobile Company was reabsorbed into Root & Van Dervoort Engineering Company. With post-war demand for gasoline stationary engines waning, R & V secured contracts for tractor engines and supplied Knight engines to manufacturers such as Saxon Motor Car Company. Automobile production was relocated to former ordnance plants while pursuing additional engine contracts.
R & V Knight
Following 1920, the Moline-Knight marque was succeeded by R & V Knight, which manufactured automobiles until 1924. The Model R was equipped with a 4-cylinder engine delivering 43 horsepower, with prices beginning at $2,150. Meanwhile, the larger Model J came with a 6-cylinder, 60-hp engine and was priced from $3,050. The range of body styles broadened to incorporate enclosed sedans and coupes in addition to roadsters and touring vehicles.
Financial difficulties plagued R & V Knight due to expensive wartime expansions that were not compensated by the U.S. government. The passing of William H. Van Dervoort in 1921 further destabilized the company’s leadership. Amid the economic downturn of 1920–1921, efforts to restructure the business were unsuccessful, culminating in bankruptcy and the eventual liquidation of assets by 1924.
Orlando Root, a significant associate since 1899 through his involvement with Standard Calorimeter Company alongside University of Illinois professor Samuel W. Parr, facilitated the company's recapitalization in 1925 as Parr Instrument Company. Root passed away in 1928.
Today, roughly 37 automobiles from the Moline, Dreadnought Moline, Moline-Knight, and R & V Knight lines remain in existence.
Models
The earliest model identifiers began with the letter D and were followed by C, B, and A in no fixed sequence.
| Year | Make | Model | Cylinder | Horsepower (HP) | Wheelbase (cm) | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1904 | Moline | 12 HP (Model D) | 2 | 12 | 188 | Touring Runabout |
| 1905 | Moline | Model B | 4 | 18/20 | 267 | Surrey Tonneau |
| 1905 | Moline | Model D | 2 | 12 | 218 | Surrey Tonneau |
| 1906 | Moline | Model A | 4 | 30/35 | 279 | Touring Car |
| 1906 | Moline | Model C | 4 | 18/20 | 254 | Touring Car |
| 1906 | Moline | Model G | 2 | 16 | 218 | Touring Car |
| 1907 | Moline | Model A | 4 | 35 | 279 | Touring Car |
| 1907 | Moline | Model C | 4 | 20 | 254 | Runabout |
[Table truncated for brevity]
Production
| Year | Production | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 1904 | 50 | |
| 1905 | 300 | |
| 1906 | 300 | |
| 1907 | 500 | |
| 1908 | 700 | |
| 1909 | 736 | |
| 1910 | 783 | |
| 1911 | 638 | M 35 |
| 1912 | 782 | M 35 |
| 1913 | 431 | |
| 1914 | 336 | |
| 1915 | 923 | |
| 1916 | 906 | |
| 1917 | 603 | |
| 1918 | 481 | |
| 1919 | 499 | |
| 1920 | 767 | |
| 1921 | 967 | |
| 1922 | 856 | |
| 1923 | 736 | |
| 1924 | 473 |
Throughout its operational period, total output amounted to 12,767 units, illustrating consistent growth and a solid market foothold.