Mors (automobile)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1897 |
| Founder | Émile Mors |
| Fate | Acquired by Citroën in 1925; brand discontinued |
| Headquarters | France |
Key people | Émile Mors (founder), André Citroën (chairman from 1908) |
| Products | Automobiles |
| Parent | Citroën (from 1925) |
The Mors automobile company was an early French car producer and a trailblazer in automobile racing beginning in 1897. Émile Mors, the founder, recognized that racing provided both technical benefits and promotional opportunities. By the early 20th century, Mors, alongside Panhard et Levassor, held a dominant position in competitive racing.
Technical achievements
Among the pioneers in automotive design, Mors implemented a V engine configuration early on. Their 60-horsepower Grand Prix vehicle was equipped with a 9.2-litre V4 side valve engine featuring magneto ignition and dry sump lubrication, capable of reaching 950 rpm. The car utilized a steel frame, a four-speed transmission, rear-wheel chain drive, and braking systems. In 1902, Mors innovated by introducing pneumatic shock absorbers, improving suspension performance on uneven surfaces and racecourses. Henri Fournier secured victory in the Paris-Berlin race driving this model before experiencing a failure in the drive chain.
Mors discontinued its racing activities in 1908; plans to resume were interrupted by the outbreak of World War I.
Citroën
Financial stability was restored in 1908 when André Citroën assumed the role of chairman at Mors. Eventually, Citroën completed a full acquisition of Mors in 1925, subsequently shutting down the brand and converting its manufacturing facilities for producing Citroën automobiles.
Range
Mors manufactured numerous models distributed throughout Europe and the United States. By 1905, engine capacities varied from 2.3 to 8.1 litres (40/52 HP). Larger models introduced by 1914 incorporated Knight sleeve valve engines supplied by Minerva, replacing earlier side-valve designs; after 1918, all engines employed sleeve valve technology. Starting in 1914, bevel drive rear axles were powered by Citroën's chevron gear. A notable innovation was Mors's patented clutch mechanism using a contracting band system, which succeeded the cone clutch design utilized until 1903.
During World War II, the marque briefly resurfaced with small electric vehicles produced by an electrical subsidiary linked to Émile Mors.
Central Automobile Company
In the early 1900s, Central Automobile Company served as the U.S. distributor for Mors automobiles based in New York, New York.
The 1904 Mors 18 HP was a touring automobile featuring a tonneau, accommodating four to six passengers, priced at US$8000. It housed a front-mounted, vertically oriented water-cooled straight-4 engine delivering 18 HP (13.4 kW) and incorporated a four-speed gearbox. The chassis was constructed from pressed steel and included a cellular radiator equipped with a fan and throttle control. Another model, the Mors 11 HP, was available for US$5000.
American Mors
The American production of Mors vehicles was managed by the St. Louis Car Company. After manufacturing the St. Louis and Kobusch automobiles—the latter bearing resemblance to Mors—in 1906, the company secured an official license along with blueprints and designs from the original Paris factory to produce Mors cars domestically. Following three years of American Mors production, St. Louis Car Company transitioned to creating its own model known as the Standard Six.