Austin [1] (United States)

The Austin Automobile Company was established in 1902 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by James E. Austin, a lumberman, and his son Walter Austin. The company originated from the Michigan Iron Works, which James purchased in 1900. Initially focused on machinery, the Austins shifted their attention to automobile production after developing a prototype vehicle by December 1902. This early model featured a 16-horsepower, 2-cylinder engine and was priced at $2,000.

In its early years, the company produced a limited number of vehicles, selling only 11 units in 1903. The Austin lineup expanded to include larger cars with 25-horsepower engines and shaft drive. By 1904, the company introduced its first four-cylinder models, which included 35 and 50-horsepower variants, with the larger model priced at $4,500. Despite the quality of their vehicles, Austin struggled to gain widespread recognition, maintaining a production rate of about 25 cars per year until 1906, which increased to an average of 30 cars annually until 1918.

The Austin range included notable models such as the 60-horsepower Model LX introduced in 1906 and the 90-horsepower Model XC launched in 1907. The Model XC featured a large Weidely engine of nearly 13 liters and was capable of reaching speeds of 7 to 90 mph (11 to 145 km/h). The company adopted electric lighting in 1911 and introduced a two-speed rear axle in 1913, ahead of Cadillac, although a patent dispute ensued. By World War I, Austin had transitioned to offering larger six-cylinder models, including the 66 and 77-horsepower variants.

In 1916, the company rebranded its offerings under the name "Highway King," introducing a model with a 6.4-liter Weidely V12 engine available in seven body styles. However, the post-war period proved challenging for the company, leading to a significant decline in sales, with only ten cars sold in 1920. Following the cessation of automobile production, the Austins shifted their focus to real estate ventures. James E. Austin lived to the age of 95, passing away in 1936, while Walter Austin died just shy of his 100th birthday in 1965.