The Empire was an American automobile manufactured from 1910 until 1919. Marketed as "the little aristocrat", the Empire 20 was a four-cylinder shaft-driven runabout built in

Indianapolis Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion ...

. The model "A" was a conventional runabout for three passengers with a rumble seat. The model "B" had two bucket seats, a longer hood and was geared higher to attain faster speeds. More conventional bodywork was later offered; in April 1915 the marque announced production of a 35 hp for 1916. The company's final products were a four of 3865 cc and a six of 3670 cc. The business, Empire Motor Car Company, founded in 1909 was a project of

Arthur Newby Arthur Calvin Newby (December 29, 1865—September 11, 1933) was an American businessman and pioneer of the bicycle and automotive industries in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was best known as one of the founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ...

, Carl Fisher, James Allison and

shock absorber A shock absorber or damper is a mechanical or hydraulic device designed to absorb and damp shock impulses. It does this by converting the kinetic energy of the shock into another form of energy (typically heat) which is then dissipated. Most sh ...

manufacturer Robert Hassler who built the

Indianapolis Motor Speedway The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is an automobile racing circuit located in Speedway, Indiana, an enclave suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana. It is the home of the Indianapolis 500 and the Verizon 200, and and formerly the home of the United State ...

in 1909. Their first car was designed by Harry C. Stutz. From 1912 to 1919, the Greenville Metal Products Co. of Greenville, PA, also produced the Empire. After 1912 4 different models were produced, a five-passenger touring car and four Passenger four-door roadster with 6 cylinder engines. In addition 4 cylinder five-passenger touring cars and two passenger roadsters. A Greenville-made Empire is in the Waugh House, the Greenville Area Historical Society Museum.

References

* Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States Motor vehicle manufacturers based in Indiana Defunct companies based in Indiana {{brass-auto-stub