Mason Motor Car Company

The Mason was a Brass Era automobile manufactured in Des Moines, Iowa from 1906 to 1909 and Waterloo, Iowa from 1911 to 1914. In 1909 and 1910 it was marketed as the Maytag-Mason.

History The first prototype called the Marvel was powered by a 24-hp flat-twin engine with a planetary transmission. The main feature of the car was the innovative overhead valve engine and water cooling with a pump. With a displacement of 3,277cc (200 ci), the engine delivered 24–28 hp. The engine was midships under the floor and it was designed by Fred S. Duesenberg assisted by his brother August Duesenberg who was a pattern-maker at the factory. The prototypes name was changed to Mason for attorney Edward R. Mason who was the largest shareholder. Edward Mason became the company president while Fred Duesenberg became the factory superintendent.

Mason Motor Car Company Mason production began on August 16, 1906. Marketing efforts for the new car promoted its strength by having it drive up the 47 steps of the Iowa State Capitol building. Other advertisements boasted about the excellent fuel efficiency of the Duesenberg two-cylinder engine, claiming it could carry the car 475 miles on 18 gallons of gasoline. "The Fastest and Strongest Two-Cylinder Car in America" was the Mason's slogan. Beginning in 1907 the Mason was used in racing and reliability trials. The 1906 to 1908 Mason was made as a touring car or runabout and priced at $1,350, .

In 1908 the company was reorganized as the Mason Automobile Company and factory expansion plans were started.

Maytag-Mason In 1909 the company was bought by washing machine maker Frederick L. Maytag and his son Elmer H. Maytag. The new company, Maytag-Mason Motor Company moved production to Waterloo, Iowa at the suggestion of William O. Galloway. The two-cylinder cars were continued as Masons, and a new four-cylinder car was marketed as a Maytag. For 1911 both cars were named Maytag, but late in the same year, the Maytag family pulled out of the company.

Mason Motor Company The Duesenberg brothers left the company when the Maytags controlled it but retained the Mason name for racing cars they built. By 1913, they were in St. Paul, Minnesota where they established the Duesenberg Motor Company.

Edward Mason regained control of the company by 1912 from Galloway and Maytag interests and reorganized as Mason Motor Company. The Duesenbergs retained some ties with Edward Mason and in 1912 a new 2-cylinder Duesenberg engine of 20-hp was introduced. This is the first version of the famous Duesenberg" walking beam" engine. In 1913, the $3,000 () Mason-Mohler was announced. This new car had a four-cylinder 65-hp Duesenberg engine mounted on a 128-inch wheelbase chassis that was underslung in the front and overslung at the rear. This may have been a de-tuned version of the four-cylinder "walking beam" engine.

Finances and leadership changes proved insurmountable for Edward Mason and the company was bankrupt by the end of 1914. The Waterloo factory was sold for $35,000 in 1915.

Gallery

Model overview Motor Cars YearModelCylindersDisplace- ment ccHorse- powerWheelbase mmBodyPrice US$1906–1908Mason 24-HP23218242286Runabout, 2 seat Touring, 5 seat1,285 1,35019092438Tourabout, 4 seats Touring, 5 seats1,250 1,35019102438Tourabout, 2/4 seat Toy Touring, 4 seat

Touring, 5 seat1,250 1,250

1,3501910Maytag 32/35 HP44599322896Touring, 5 seat2,2501911Maytag 20-HP Model A

Model B

Model C23218242438Runabout, 2 seat Toy Tonneau, 4 seat

Touring, 5 seat1,250 1,300

1,3501911Maytag 35-HP Model D

Model E

Model F

Model G

Model H43218352896Touring Touring

Touring

Boattail Roadster1,750 1,750

1,750

1,6501912Mason 20-HP Model A

Model B

Model C23218242438Touring Torpedo

Roadster1,050 1,050

1,0501912Mason 30-HP Model D

Model E

Model F

Model G

Model H43218352946Roadster Touring

Touring

Roadster1,750 1,000

1,150

1,250

1,6501912Mason Knight4announced- not produced1913Mason Model C23218242438Touring, 5 seat9001913Mason Model K43218352946Fore-Door Touring, 5 seat1,29019142946Touring, 5 seat1,3501914Mason-Mohler 65-HP4653251Roadster Coupe3,000 3,150

Mason Motor Car Company

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