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Activating The Henry Ford Archive of Innovation

1912 Rambler Knickerbocker Limousine: A Grand Car for Grand Living

December 29, 2020 Archive Insight
Boxy green car

THF91242

Seven feet, seven inches tall, this limousine was designed to make a grand entrance. And it wasn’t short on style, either. Even the chauffeur’s compartment was done up in leather and mahogany. The owners gazed at the world through French plate-glass windows or shut out prying eyes with silk curtains. They enjoyed an umbrella holder, a hat rack, a flower vase, and interior electric lights to illuminate them all.

Page with black-and-white illustration of car in front of house at top; text inside circle design at bottom
This 1910 ad for the Rambler limousine promotes luxuries such as a mahogany ceiling, a mirror, a clock, a cigar case, and a speaking tube so the owner could talk to the chauffeur. / THF83353

Inside factory with many car bench seats and people working on them
The Rambler, like many luxury cars, published a magazine for owners. Many issues emphasized the company’s quality construction methods. / THF83351

Two men work on a car body on sawhorses
Rambler Magazine showed workers putting finishing touches on a body in 1911. Before Henry Ford developed the moving automotive assembly line in 1913, cars were built like this—on sawhorses. / THF83356


This post was adapted from an exhibit label in Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

limousines, 20th century, 1910s, luxury cars, cars

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