1912 Alco Touring

American Locomotive Company, Providence, Rhode Island.

The American Locomotive Company was one of the leading producers of steam locomotives in the United States. In June 1905 company president Albert S. Pitkin announced that the French Berliet car would be manufactured in one of Alco's rolling stock factories at Providence, Rhode Island. In 1909 the name of the car was changed to Alco and the three Berliet designs continued under this name. They were a 22 and a 40hp four and a massive 60hp six. This had a capacity of 9488cc, rode on a 134 inch wheelbase and cost $6000 for a tourer. For 1910 the 22hp was dropped, and the larger cars were listed with a wider variety of coachwork options, including a landaulette and limousine which cost $6750 on the 60hp chassis. This rose to $7250 by 1912.
The Alco was meticulously made, the company claiming that it took six months to build the rear axle alone and that a complete car could not be made in less than 19 months. Bodies were also made by Alco, being distinguished by a white stripe around the body at the top of the doors. In 1913 Alco asked the Crane Motor Car Company to design a smaller and cheaper car with a 6178cc 6 cylinder engine to sell at around $3400. Only 3 prototypes were made as Alco were about to leave the car business. Although the cars had a wonderful reputation Alco's accountants found that they were losing £460 on each car sold. They therefore ordered an immediate end to the car division. The company's locomotives continued to grace the American railroad for many more years.