The Keystone Motor Company of Philadelphia was the manufacturer of a veteran era automobile in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...

in 1900.

History

Keystone manufactured a water-cooled,

single-cylinder A single-cylinder engine, sometimes called a thumper, is a piston engine with one cylinder. This engine is often used for motorcycles, motor scooters, go-karts, all-terrain vehicles, radio-controlled vehicles, portable tools and garden machinery ( ...

engine that delivered . This engine was made available to other manufacturers. Three models, all priced at US$750, with a wheelbase of 52 in.and

tiller A tiller or till is a lever used to steer a vehicle. The mechanism is primarily used in watercraft, where it is attached to an outboard motor, rudder post or stock to provide leverage in the form of torque for the helmsman to turn the rudder ...

steering were offered. The Autocycle was a runabout for two passengers. The engine was standing free behind the seat without protection by a hood. The vehicle had wire wheels, those in front being slightly larger. The Wagonette was also a runabout but looked more modern and resembled the

Oldsmobile Curved Dash __NOTOC__ The gasoline-powered Oldsmobile Model R, also known as the Curved Dash Oldsmobile, is credited as being the first mass-produced automobile, meaning that it was built on an assembly line using interchangeable parts. It was introduced by ...

. The front panel was curved outward and fenders with step plate were fitted. The engine was concealed in a compartment under the seat, a canopy top was an option. A third model was the Parcel Delivery that accommodated the driver only. In the summer of 1900, Keystone reported that 75 engines, five Autocycles and four Wagonettes were built and sold in its first month. Philadelphia businessmen (among them Theodore C. Search, head of the

Stetson Hat Company The John B. Stetson Company, founded by John B. Stetson in 1865, was the maker of the Stetson cowboy hats, but ceased manufacturing in 1970. Stetson hats are now being manufactured in Garland, Texas, by Hatco, Inc., who also produce Resistol ...

) purchased Keystone five months after the car was introduced. This became the Searchmont Motor Company . Keystone chief engineer Edward B. Gallaher became plant manager for the Searchmont.

Sources

* G.N. Georgano (editor): ''Complete Encyclopedia of Motorcars, 1885 to the Present''; Dutton Press, New York, 2. Auflage (Hardcover) 1973, {{ISBN, 0-525-08351-0 Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of the United States History of Philadelphia Defunct companies based in Pennsylvania Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1900 1900 establishments in Pennsylvania American companies established in 1900 Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1900 1900 disestablishments in Pennsylvania 1900 mergers and acquisitions Veteran vehicles 1900s cars Cars introduced in 1900