Dab solver - Searchmont Motor Company

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[[File:MHV Searchmont Wagonette 1901 02.jpg|thumb|Searchmont Wagonette (1901), derived from the very similar Keystone Wagonette]]
[[File:Brian Snelson's photos of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2009 - 009.jpg|thumb|1904 Searchmont Type VI Tonneau, Chassis No. 310, during the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2009]] 

The Searchmont Motor Company was an American automobile manufacturer in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]]. 

It evolved in 1900 from the [[Keystone Motor Company of Philadelphia]] (1899–1900) when this company had been bought out by [[Theodore C. Search]] (1841–1920), head of the [[Stetson Hat Company]]), Spencer Trask and other local business men. Keystone managing director and engineer Edward B. Gallaher accepted a position as the plant manager with the new company. The Keystone Wagonette, a [[Runabout (car)|]] for two passengers with a water-cooled [[single-cylinder engine]] in a compartment under the seat and [[chain drive]] stayed in production as the Searchmont Wagonette until 1902. In November, 1901, the car became also available with a new {{convert|10|bhp|abbr=on}} . This engine was derived from the single cylinder engine (which was still offered), using as many of its parts as possible. Initially, a Searchmont Wagonette cost 750 $.

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[[File:MHV Searchmont Wagonette 1901 02.jpg|thumb|Searchmont Wagonette (1901), derived from the very similar Keystone Wagonette]]
[[File:Brian Snelson's photos of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2009 - 009.jpg|thumb|1904 Searchmont Type VI Tonneau, Chassis No. 310, during the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2009]]

The '''Searchmont Motor Company''' was an American automobile manufacturer in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]].

It evolved in 1900 from the [[Keystone Motor Company of Philadelphia]] (1899–1900) when this company had been bought out by [[Theodore C. Search]] (1841–1920), head of the [[Stetson Hat Company]]), ''Spencer Trask'' and other local business men. Keystone managing director and engineer ''Edward B. Gallaher'' accepted a position as the plant manager with the new company. The ''Keystone Wagonette'', a [[Runabout (car)|Runabout]] for two passengers with a water-cooled [[single-cylinder engine]] in a compartment under the seat and [[chain drive]] stayed in production as the ''Searchmont Wagonette'' until 1902. In November, 1901, the car became also available with a new {{convert|10|bhp|abbr=on}} <<link:0>>. This engine was derived from the single cylinder engine (which was still offered), using as many of its parts as possible. Initially, a Searchmont Wagonette cost 750 $.

Involved in the development of the Searchmont automobile was a young engineer named [[Chadwick Engineering Works|Lee Sherman Chadwick]]. In 1902, Trask tried to interest the well-kown French Race car driver [[Henri Fournier]], winner of the 1901 ''Paris–Bordeaux'' and ''Paris–Berlin'' races for [[Mors (automobile)|Mors]], in the Searchmont company. Although he finally failed - he even renamed the company as the '''Fournier-Searchmont Motor Company'' - there is some French influence evident in the Searchmont. This is shown in a certain resemblance with the contemporary ''Mors'', and the use of a pressure feed lubrication system; the first in a U.S. production car. This is the reason that the cars of the company were sometimes also referred to as ''Fournier-Searchmonts''.

Two new front-engined cars appeared for 1902 which again featured many parts from the ''Wagonette''. Both were runabouts with improved engines. The smaller and sportier ''Type 3'' got a [[wheelbase]] of {{convert|66|in}} and a {{convert|12|bhp|abbr=on}}, two-cylinder engine. The bigger ''Type IV'' had a wheelbase of {{convert|70|in}} and {{convert|6|bhp|abbr=on}} from a single cylinder engine. Shortly later, a larger Twin, ''Type V'' appeared. It came with four-seater [[Tonneau]] coachwork, the ''Type III'''s twin engine, and had a wheelbase of {{convert|78|in}}. Problem{{Says who|date=August 2012}} with them was the price of $2.000 – 2.250.

Searchmont refined the ''Type V'' and offered it as the ''Type VI'' with {{convert|8|bhp|abbr=on}} in the following year. A new addition was the ''Type VII'', a very attractive{{Says who|date=August 2012}} four-passenger Tonneau with a {{convert|10|bhp|abbr=on}} two-cylinder engine and a wheelbase of 81 in. They cost $2.000 and $2.500, respectively.

Chadwick developed a [[four-cylinder engine]] with {{convert|32|bhp|abbr=on}} for a new ''Type VIII'' which was scheduled for 1904. This did not occur because Trask had ill speculated with capital stock, and the other partners did not wish to continue. So, the company was liquidated. The [[John Wanamaker Store|John Wanamaker Department Stores]] bought the remaining stock of 100 two-cylinder cars for only $750 a piece, selling them easily at 1.200 $. One of them was bought by [[Charles Yale Knight]], who put the first of his [[Knight Engine|sleeve valve engines]] in it.

Chadwick was very disappointed that the new four-cylinder car was abandoned. He bought out all plans and already delivered parts, founded his own company, the ''Fairmount Engineering Works'', which soon became the [[Chadwick Engineering Works]] and started production. He built the car as the ''Chadwick Type 9'' seven-passenger [[touring car]] with a wheelbase of {{convert|107.5|in}} at a price of $4.000. Its engine now delivered {{convert|32|bhp|abbr=on}} and the car became the ancestor of a well-respected luxury sports car.

==Sole survivor?==
There is evidence that only one Searchmont car has survived until today. This car, a ''Type VI'' Tonneau with the 10 HP two-cylinder engine, shows chassis No. 310 and is in restored condition. It participates frequently at the [[London to Brighton Veteran Car Run|ndon to Brighton Veteran Car Run]] whip is open for cars built before December 31, 1904.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Searchmont vehicles|Searchmont}}
* [http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z13233/Searchmont-Touring.aspx 1904 Searchmont Type VI Tonneau at conceptcarz]

==Sources==
* Kimes, Beverly Rae (editor) and Clark, Henry Austin, jr., ; The Standard Catalogue of American Cars, 2nd Edition, Krause Publications, Iola WI 54990 (1985),  ISBN 0-87341-111-0
* [[Georgano, G.N.]] (editor): ''Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars, 1885 to the Present''; Dutton Press, New York, 2. Auflage (Hardcover) 1973, ISBN 0-525-08351-0

[[Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States]]

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Dab solver - Searchmont Motor Company

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