Selden Motor Vehicle Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Founder | George B. Selden |
| Defunct | 1932 |
| Fate | Acquired by Hahn Motor Truck Company in 1930; ceased operations in 1932 |
| Headquarters | Rochester, New York , United States |
| Products | Automobiles (1907–1914), Trucks (1913–1932) |
The Selden Motor Vehicle Company was an American automobile manufacturer from the Brass Era, established in 1906 and headquartered in Rochester, New York. The firm produced cars between 1907 and 1914, then transitioned to truck manufacturing from 1913 until it ceased operations in 1932.
History
The company was founded by George B. Selden, who held the first U.S. patent for a "horseless carriage," granted in 1895 after numerous revisions to his initial 1877 filing. This patent served as a key business asset. To validate the patent, Selden constructed a vehicle based on his original design in 1907; however, the patent was ultimately ruled unenforceable in 1911.
The initial Selden automobile, a 30-horsepower, four-cylinder model, was designed by E. T. Birdsall and launched in June 1907. It was priced between $2,000 and $2,500 (equivalent to approximately $). The wheelbase of this model expanded from 109 inches to 125 inches over time. In 1911, after the patent was invalidated and following a factory fire that was covered by insurance, the company underwent internal restructuring. Frederick A. Law, formerly affiliated with Columbia, took on the roles of designer and plant superintendent. Production of passenger cars ended in 1914.
Beginning in 1913, Selden concentrated on manufacturing trucks, which proved profitable until the company was acquired by Hahn Motor Truck Company of Hamburg, Pennsylvania in 1930. Both enterprises discontinued operations by 1932. George B. Selden died in 1923.
Production models
- Selden Model 25
- Selden Model 29
- Selden Model 35
- Selden Model 46
See also
- List of defunct automobile manufacturers
- Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers
- Electric Vehicle Company
External links
- 1911 Selden Model 40R at ConceptCarz
- Barnes, J. W. (1981, April). Rochester and the Automobile Industry. Rochester History, XLIII
References
- Cars introduced in 1907
- Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States
- Defunct truck manufacturers of the United States
- Motor vehicle manufacturers based in New York (state)
- Manufacturing companies based in Rochester, New York
- Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1905
- Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1930
- 1907 establishments in New York (state)
- 1932 disestablishments in New York (state)
- Defunct manufacturing companies based in New York (state)
- 1900s cars
- 1910s cars
- Brass Era vehicles
- American companies disestablished in 1932
- American companies established in 1907
- Cars discontinued in 1914