1906 Locomobile "Old 16" Race Car
Add to SetSummary
In 1908, driver George Robertson and mechanician Glenn Ethridge took this car to victory in the Vanderbilt Cup, America's first great automobile race. It marked the first time an American-built car won a major international road-circuit race. The Locomobile competed while wearing race number 16, and it's been known as "Old 16" ever since.
In 1908, driver George Robertson and mechanician Glenn Ethridge took this car to victory in the Vanderbilt Cup, America's first great automobile race. It marked the first time an American-built car won a major international road-circuit race. The Locomobile competed while wearing race number 16, and it's been known as "Old 16" ever since.
Artifact
Racing car
Date Made
1906
Creators
Riker, Andrew L. (Lawrence), 1868-1930
Place of Creation
United States, Connecticut, Bridgeport
Creator Notes
Designed by Andrew L. Riker; manufactured by the Locomobile Company of America, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Keywords
United States, New York, Long Island
Riker, Andrew L. (Lawrence), 1868-1930
Robertson, George H., 1884-1955
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America
Object ID
97.9.1.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Metal
Copper (Metal)
Wood (Plant material)
Leather
Rubber (Material)
Color
Gray (Color)
Black (Color)
Red
Dimensions
Height: 62.5 in
Width: 63 in
Length: 165 in
Inscriptions
Painted on front of radiatior and on sides of hood: 16 Lubricator on front wheel axle: LUNKENHEIMER CO. CINCINNATI, O - MARINE NO.1 Plate on front dash: LICENSED / UNDER / SELDEN / - PATENT / NO. 549,160 / PATENTED NOVEMBER 5, 1895 / 203781 Plate on wooden box on right: REGISTERED / MOTOR VEHICLE/ NO. 10576 / NEW YORK Other inscriptions, location not noted: 120 HP LOCOMOBILE / BUILT BRIDGEPORT, CONN. 1906 / DESIGNER, A.L. RIKER / 1906 WINNER VANDERBILT CUP TRIALS / JOE TRACY- DRIVER/AL POOLE- MECH / 1906 RECORD LAP VANDERBILT CUP RACE / JOE TRACY- DRIVER / AL POOLE- MECH / 1908 WINNER VANDERBILT CUP RACE / GEORGE ROBERTSON- DRIVER / GLEN ETHRIDGE- MECH BOSCH DUAL COIL / RUN START / NO.61161 6 VOLTS / PATENTS PENDING PST'D NOV. 3, 1895 APRIL 14, 1903 OCT. 14, 1902 APRIL 21, 1903 PAT'D PENDING
Specifications
Make & Model: 1906 Locomobile "Old 16" (road racing)
Maker: Locomobile, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Engine: Locomobile inline-4, F-head valves, 990 cubic inches
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Height: 62 inches
Width: 64 inches
Wheelbase: 110 inches
Overall length: 163 inches
Weight: 2204 pounds
Horsepower: 120 at 1000 revolutions per minute
Pounds per horsepower: 18.4
Competition History: Won the 1906 Elimination Race for American cars to qualify for the Vanderbilt Cup. Set the fastest lap during the 1906 Vanderbilt race. Won the 1908 Vanderbilt race and set the fastest lap.