The Hupmobile was a cheaply made, easily maintained car
with a 4 cylinder engine way back before anyone was really thinking about
mileage. From 1909 until just before the outbreak of the Second World War the
Hupp Motor Company of Detroit was turning out these snazzy; and also classic;
automobiles.
Introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in February 1909 they caught on instantly; selling at about
$500 bucks each.The manufacturer; Robert Craig Hupp; was a former
employee at both Oldsmobile and Ford Motor Companies; and decided to take a
gamble on his own. Organized in 1908; along with his brother Louis; they began the
actual production of the first car in 1909. By 1910 the demand had increased to
over 500 per year.
Robert Hupp had some disagreements with his financial
backers and sold his shares in 1910. He then founded the RCH Automobile
Company, but soon foundered. He even tried an electric car under that name and
also the Hupp-Yeats Electric Car Company.
By 1912 he would be one of only two automakers who used
all-steel bodies. The other company was an English firm; BSA; famous for their
motorcycles. Hupp was also busy designing and manufacturing a 7 passenger
vehicle which would become the forerunner of Greyhound Bus.
While Hupp was doing these new experimental things, the
company he originally founded was prospering along with the nation. In 1924
Hupp Motors was the leading competitor of both the Ford and Chevrolet companies.
But even before the Depression was in full swing the company had seen a drop
off in sales. They tried bigger touring cars, but somehow they couldn’t compete
with the Pierce Arrows and foreign touring cars which were common during the
1920’s. This was a strategy which proved fatal; as they were shutting out their
former “bread and butter” customers; who then went to Ford.
Hupp Motors continued with trying new designs during the
1930’s; even using Ford bodies which were modified. But by 1936 they were
selling off the plants and other assets; meaning it was only a matter of time
until this classic automobile would be gone. Even the acquisition of the Cord Motor
Company designs; with thousands of orders; couldn’t save the company now.
Without the plants they had sold off, they couldn’t fill them. They turned to
competitor Graham-Paige Motor Co.; who had troubles of their own and arranged
to share the Cord die; and were built at Graham's facilities. That car was
called the Hollywood, and was essentially the same as the Skylark.
In 1939 the death blow came with only 319 orders to fill.
The following year saw the closing of the Graham facilities; essentially
marking the end of both companies. But what a legacy of design features Hupp
left behind. He was the first to design and introduce what he called “free
wheelin” the precursor of today’s 4 wheel drive. He was also the first to offer
heaters using fresh air, rather than the engine air which was less than pleasant.
The new technology became standard in the industry after Hupp left the field in
1940.
For a look at more of Hupp’s cars, use this link;
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