Argonne Argonne 1919-1920
The Argonne was an American automobile manufactured from 1919 to 1920 in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Only 24 were produced before the company folded. The prototype car was a sports roadster with an aluminum body crafted by the Schutte Body Co. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was powered by an inline-four Buda engine. A Rochester-Duesenberg power plant was also available. Production models included a roadster on a 118-inch (3,000 mm) wheelbase, and some sources list an open Tourer model on a 132-inch (3,400 mm) wheelbase.
The marque featured a sharply pointed radiator similar to that found on the Austro-Daimler.
The Argonne Motor Car Co. built the Argonne in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1919 and 1920 only. The Argonne was a high quality automobile built by the former manufacturers of the Palmer Singer line (Palmer & Singer Mfg. Co. Long Island City, NY 1907-1914).
The Argonne was one of many little sports cars built at this time, fewer that 100 were produced and was named after the fierce battle in Argonne, France during the First World War.
Designers Otto Bieir and Harold Porter created the Argonne and The Argonne Motor Car Company of Jersey City, New Jersey, was formed to produce it under the supervision of Charles A Singer. Production included this sporty boattail roadster model along with a four passenger open sport model. The roadster sold for $4500.00 and the four passenger $4700.00. Note that the headlight lenses on the Argonne had patterns to channel the light where the manufacture wanted it to go.
The Argonne was equipped with a high speed 3.7 liter four cylinder 33 horsepower Buda, except for the last two which were powered by a Duesenberg engine. Features included a 118 inches wheelbase, four speed transmission, Eisemann high tension magneto, three point suspension, 20 mph per gallon and 70 mph were guaranteed, wheels are wire or disc optional and the tires are 32 inch by 4 1/2 inch cords.
Advertisements began in the latter part of the summer in 1919, but the Argonne made its first appearance at the New York Automobile Show in January, 1920. The Argonne was truely a handsome, well made automobile. However, by the time it was put on the market, the postwar recession of WWI was having a very serious affect on the industry and the company had to close down in March of 1920.
From the 1920 Motor Age Magazine
The Argonne four-cylinder car exhibited at the Commodore is a two-passenger short model fitted with a high speed engine of 33/4 by 53/4 inches The car is a product of the Argonne Motor Car Co., Jersey City, Mich., which will produce this model together with a four-passenger open sport model in quantities.The roadster sells for $4500 and the four-passenger $4700. The wheelbase is 118 in. Springs are semi-elliptic with oilless bushings. Tires are 32 by 41/2 in. cords. The six-passenger car utilises two auxiliary seats in the tonneau and the top is lined throughout with beveled plate glass windows in the rear.
The Argonne was named after the fierce battle in Argonne, France in the First World War. Otto Bieir and Harold Porter, who were previous designers, designed the The Argonne Motor Car Company, Jersey City, New Jersey, was formed to produce it. It was supposed to be a six-cylinder, but for economy's sake, it became a four-cylinder. Advertisements began in the latter part of the summer in 1919, but it made its first appearance at the New York Automobile Show in January, 1920. 20 mph per gallon and 70 mph were guaranteed. It was truly a handsome, well-made car, but by the time it was put on the market, the postwar recession was having a very serious affect on the industry and the company had to close down in March, 1920 with no more that two dozen cars made. Eventually the remaining parts from the sheriff's were used to make a few additional closed cars that were sedans and one coupe. The previous cars were all open models.