The Rollin Motors Company was an American automobile manufacturer from 1923 until 1925 and founded by Rollin Henry White.[1] The company was based in Cleveland, Ohio.[2]
 The Thoroughbred of the Thoroughfare | |
| Industry | Automotive |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1923 |
| Founder | Rollin H. White |
| Defunct | 1925 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy |
| Headquarters | Cleveland, Ohio, |
Key people | Henry Rollins, James G. Heaslet, E. E. Allyne |
| Products | Automobiles |
Production output | 5,750 (1924-1925) |
History
editThe Rollin automobile[3] had advanced technology, brakes on all four wheels (mechanical internal expanding type), pistons and connecting rods of special aluminum, lubrication oil through a pump and a four-bearing crankshaft.[4] There were four models: Touring ($995, equivalent to $17,690 in 2023), Brougham, Sedan and a three-passenger Coupe($1,175). Cars were sold in the US, Australia and a very few in Europe. The cars were designed and built by Rollin H. White, formerly chief engineer of the White Motor Company.[5]
The car was planned as an economical automobile to capture a share of the lower price market. Its engine was similar to that of the Cletrac tractor, a White subsidiary. The chairman was Rollin Henry White. His father, Thomas White, was chairman of the White Sewing Machine Company, and the White Motor Company. The Rollin was too high-priced for the market for which it had been intended. In its most successful year, 1924, approximately 3,622 units were produced.[5] By the end of 1925 the factory was closed due to bankruptcy.[6]
In December 1924 the car carrier SS Lakeland transported on Lake Michigan several new automobiles. The Lakeland sank with at least twenty-two model-year vehicles aboard from Nash Motors, Kissel Motor Car Company, and a Rollin. Recreational divers recovered the Rollin automobile in 1979 but it was too damaged to save.[7]
As of 2018, there are several Rollin automobiles in the US and in Australia, as well as a few in Europe, at least one in the Netherlands and two in Sweden.
In 2023 the Rollin Preservation Society (NL) presented a documentary about a unique Rollin still registered for use on public roads.[8]
Gallery
edit-
Rollin Touring 1923 - picture from 1963 -
Serial plate of a Rollin -
Engine compartment Rollin -
Rollin Touring 1924, picture from 2015
Bibliography
edit- Automobile Trade Journal 1899-1924 (1924-12-01). "Historical Records, back of the men back of the Rollin". Vol. 29, no. 6. p. 573. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires|magazine=(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - E. Wrenick, Frank; Elaine, E. Wrenick (2016). Automobile Manufacturers of Cleveland and Ohio, 1864–1942. McFarland & Company Inc. p. 141. ISBN 9781476623566.
- Lackley, James H. (2018). The Chandler Automobile. Harvard University Press. p. 235 and 80. ISBN 9781476625546.
References
edit- ^ "WHITE, ROLLIN HENRY | Encyclopedia of Cleveland History". Encyclopedia of Cleveland History | Case Western Reserve University.
- ^ The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Automobiles. By David Burgess Wise. Published 1979 - ISBN 0600303799 page 286, 125, 339
- ^ The Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars. Edited by G.N. Georgano. Second edition 1973. ISBN 0852230486 - page 593
- ^ original brochure Rollin - page with technical specifications
- ^ a b Kimes, Beverly Rae; Clark Jr., Henry Austin (1996). Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 (3rd ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87341-428-9.
- ^ "In re Rollin Motors Co. | 23 F.2d 110 (1927) | 23f2d110299". Leagle.
- ^ Wisconsinshipwrecks
- ^ Keep Rollin - the documentary
External links
edit- Automotive Hall of Fame
- Western Reserve Historical Society — Cleveland History Center, 2 Rollin automobiles
- 2 Rollin Model G's at ConceptCarz
- https://youtube.com/watch?v=sOPsYtEJeKY/ documentary Keep Rollin
