Rainier Motor Car Company

Rainier Motor Car Company
	File:Rainier brand logo.png The Pullman of Motor Cars
Company type	Private (1905–09); Subsidiary (1909–11)
Industry	Automotive
Genre	luxury passenger car
Founded	1905; 121 years ago
Founder	John T. Rainier
Defunct	Template:End date and age
Fate	Acquired by General Motors, ceased production in 1911
Headquarters	Flushing, Queens, United States
Key people	John T. Rainier, James G. Heaslet, Paul Lineberger
Products	Automobiles, parts
Parent	General Motors

Rainier Motor Car Company was an American manufacturer specializing in luxury automobiles, established in 1905 by John T. Rainier in Flushing, Queens, New York. Production was shifted to Saginaw, Michigan in 1908. The firm concentrated on producing large, upscale vehicles. In 1909, it became part of General Motors, which continued the brand until its discontinuation in 1911.

History

Rainier automobiles were known for their strength and performance, achieving notable success in local hill climb events and mountain races. The company was a pioneer in providing a limited one-year warranty that covered repairs.

Operations initially took place at John Rainier’s Vehicle Equipment dealership, with James G. Heaslet serving as the chief engineer throughout the company's existence. Final assembly was conducted in Flushing, while the chassis were sourced from the Garford Company based in Elyria, Ohio—a major chassis supplier also catering to Studebaker.

By 1907, concerns grew regarding Garford’s dedication to Rainier due to its collaboration with Studebaker. This prompted Rainier to manufacture vehicles entirely on its own. Consequently, a new factory was launched in Saginaw, Michigan—a developing center for automotive production—ready for the 1908 model year.

During the financial turmoil of the Panic of 1907, Rainier experienced cash flow difficulties that led to involuntary bankruptcy despite having assets surpassing liabilities. After producing approximately 300 vehicles at the Saginaw facility, the company was auctioned off in January 1909 for $20,000 to attorney George C. Comstock acting on behalf of John Rainier. Unable to secure sufficient capital to maintain ownership, Rainier sold the company to William C. Durant of General Motors.

General Motors then formed the Marquette Motor Company in Saginaw to manufacture Rainier automobiles as well as components for other luxury brands acquired by GM including the Welch Motor Car Company and Welch-Detroit models. Marquette operated under Buick’s management division. However, Durant’s aggressive expansion strategy strained GM financially and led to his exit from the company in September 1910.

GM proceeded with brand consolidation efforts, discontinuing several marques such as Welch. Production of Rainier vehicles persisted until 1911 before manufacturing of Welch-Detroit models was transferred to Saginaw.

In 1912, GM launched new models that combined elements from the Welch-Detroit Model S and Rainier Model F under the Marquette badge, with prices ranging from $3,000 to $4,000. The final vehicles were sold under the Peninsular nameplate before production ended that year.

The Marquette name was later revived by GM as a junior Buick marque in 1930 and "Rainier" was resurrected for a rebadged Oldsmobile Bravada/Buick Rainier SUV after Oldsmobile ceased operations in 2003.

Following his return from Saginaw in 1910, John T. Rainier founded the Rainier Motor Truck Company in New York City. Subsequently, the Rainier Motor Corporation was created in 1916 and moved back to Flushing in 1917 where it produced trucks until ceasing operations in 1927.

Model summary

Production Years	Model Name	Wheelbase (inches)	Body Style	Starting Price (USD)
1905-06	Model A; 22/28 HP	98	Touring car, seats 5	3,500
1906	Model B; 30/35 HP	104	Town Car, seats 7	4,000
1907	Model C; 30/35 HP	104	Touring car, accommodates 5 passengers	4,250
1907	Model C; 30/35 HP	104	Landaulet, fits 7 passengers	4,250
1908-09	Model D; 40/50 HP	104	Touring car, for 5 passengers	4,500
1908-09	Model D; 40/50 HP	104	Limousine, with seating for 7	5,500
1910	Model F; 50 HP	119	Enclosed Touring car, carries 7 passengers	4,500
1910	Model F; 50 HP	119	Touring car, seats up to 7 passengers	4,500
1910	Model F; 50 HP	119	Baby Tonneau, accommodates 5 passengers	4,500
1910	Model F;50 HP	119	Close-coupled Touring Car, for 5 passengers	4,500
1910	Model F;50 HP	119	Limousine, seating for seven	5,750
1910	Model F;50 HP	119	Landaulet, carries seven passengers	5,850
1911	Model F;50 HP	120	Roadster, two-passenger capacity	4,250
1911	Model F;50 HP	120	Close-Coupled Touring car, fits four passengers	4,250
1911	Model F;50 HP	120	Special Touring car, for seven occupants	4,250
1911	Model F;50 HP	120	Regulation Touring car, seats seven passengers	4,500
1911	Model F;50 HP	120	Close-Coupled Touring car, with five seats	4,500
1911	Model F;50 HP	120	Limousine, designed for seven passengers	4,600
1911	Model F;50 HP	120	Landaulet, seating seven occupants	4,600

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