The Keeton was a brass era automobile built in Detroit, Michigan from 1912 to 1914 by the Keeton Motor Car Company.[1]
| Keeton | |
|---|---|
 1913 Keeton Motor Car Brochure Cover | |
| Overview | |
| Type | Automobiles |
| Manufacturer | Keeton Motor Car Company |
| Production | 1912–1914 |
| Assembly | Detroit |
| Designer | Forrest M. Keeton |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Croxton-Keeton |
History
editDesigned by Forrest M. Keeton when he was associated with the Croxton-Keeton Motor Car Company, the Keeton was called a "French type' and had a bonnet like the contemporary Renault. Good sales resulted in the purchase of a larger factory in 1913, but under-capitalization caused Keeton to lose control of his company to new investors. A Keeton driven by Bob Burman participated in the 1913 Indianapolis 500 but caught fire and retired on the 55th lap.[1]
In early 1914 Keeton was absorbed by American Voiturette. The last 100 Keeton's were sold by a receiver when that company failed in September 1914. In 1915, Forrest Keeton bought back the factory for a repair business.[1]
Models
editThe 1913 Keeton "Six-48" was a six-cylinder five-passenger tourer with left-hand steering, 12½ in (31.75 cm)-diameter[2] electric headlights, starter, and horn.[3] There were four forward speeds, speedometer, and the choice of wire spoked wood wheels.[3] It had the radiator just in front of the cowl, behind the engine, the "proper and protected position", according to its ads.[3] The folding top was mohair and the windshield folded.[3] Like most cars of the era, it came standard with a tool kit, which in this case included an electric trouble light, tire iron, pump, jack, and tire patch. It sold for $2,750, equivalent to $84,778 in 2023.[1]
Keeton also offered the five-seat Riverside Tourer and Meadowbrook Roadster at $2,750, the Tuxedo Coupé at $3,000, with a chassis price (suitable for custom coachwork, typical of the likes of Rolls-Royce or Pierce-Arrow at the time) of $2,250.[4]
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1914 Keeton 6-48 advertisement in the Horseless Age -
The Keeton raced by Bob Burman in the 1913 Indianapolis 500
References
edit- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ Clymer, Floyd. Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925 (New York: Bonanza Books, 1950), p.131.
- ^ a b c d Clymer, p.131.
- ^ Clymer, p.32.
See also
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