Alpena Flyer
The Alpena Car Co. decided to produce two different models - but both contained the same chassis.
The only difference was that one model held four passengers and the other held 5 passengers. That’s the same number of passengers a modern day sedan can hold! Both models were sold at $1,450. In 2014, this price would equal $36,250. The 1910 New York auto show listed the Alpena Flyer as one of the top 10 cars in the world!
On January 11, 1911:
- 70 men worked on production of the vehicles
- 17 cars had been shipped
- 60 vehicles were in production
- Monthly payroll equaled $4,500 ($112,500 in 2014) Each employee earned roughly $2.50 per day (only $62.00 in 2014!)
The Alpena flyer was only a 33 horsepower engine. The 2015 Chevrolet Volt has 149 horsepower.
It is estimated that only 1,000 Alpena Flyers were produced during the company’s short reign from 1910-1914. Jesse Besser purchased the brick building structure of the Alpena Car Company in July 1914 for $5,200 ($130,000 in 2014). The old Alpena Car Co. factory still stands as part of the Besser Company at the intersection of Johnson St. and Woodward Ave. in Alpena. The building is now the world’s largest manufacturer of concrete block making machinery.
The Alpena Flyer was an assembled car produced as a standard Touring Car for 4 or 5 passengers, a four door 5 passenger Touring Car and a Roadster. Prices for the 1911 Alpena Flyer standard Touring Car was $1450.00, four door 5 passenger Touring $1600.00 and the Roadster was 1450.00. The most interesting quote on the magazine ad below
It's cheaper than a horse at any time!
Specifications of the 1911 Alpena Flyer included a four cylinder engine made by Northway or Rutenber. It had almost 40 horsepower, disc clutch, water cooled, a Splitdorf magneto, Schebler carburetor, sliding gear transmission with three speeds and reverse, 112 inch wheel base, 34 inch wheels and 24 inch x 3 1/2 inch tires, Torque tube drive, weight 2250 pounds and a color of only Dark Royal Blue.
The Survivor
Ultimately, the only know surviving car is destined for the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan where museum staff members currently are working on a historical exhibit about the car and the company that made it. The car is expected to come to the museum in November.
“It is such an honor to be able to exhibit and celebrate this part of Alpena’s unique history,” said Besser Museum Executive Director Chris Witulski. “We would never have been able to do this without the generosity of Ron Winter.”
Winter also did considerable research on the Alpena Motor Company. His research efforts indicate the company had $239,500 in common stock and $62,500 in preferred stock, which he said in today’s numbers translates to $7.5 million.
“That was fairly substantial for a start-up company,” he said.
He also learned the company went bankrupt in February 1914 due in part to a $450,000 judgment for patent infringement. Ultimately, the Alpena Motor Company property was auctioned off and Besser Company bought it for $5,200, while the car parts are believed to have been sold to a company in Canada.