Brush [2] (United States)

The Brush Runabout Company was an American automobile manufacturer based in Detroit, Michigan, active from 1907 to 1913. Founded by Alanson Partridge Brush, who had previously designed the engine for the first single-cylinder Cadillac, the company became known for its popular two-seater runabout. The Brush Runabout featured a 6-horsepower single-cylinder engine, a wooden frame constructed from oak, hickory, and maple, and coil springs on all wheels. Notable design elements included a counter-clockwise rotating engine, left-hand drive, solid tires, and a unique friction clutch that eliminated the need for a traditional gearbox.

In 1908, the Brush Runabout underwent significant updates, including the introduction of a two-speed transmission and the option for pneumatic tires, which became available by special order after 1910. A prototype of a Brush model with a two-cylinder engine and a longer wheelbase was showcased at the 1908 New York Auto Show, but it did not enter production. The company expanded its offerings in 1910 with the introduction of a four-seater and a closed coupe, as well as delivery vans.

The production capacity of the Brush Runabout increased significantly after Frank Briscoe, the manufacturer, built a new factory in 1909, which was touted as the largest in the automobile industry at the time. Production rose from approximately 2,000 units in 1909 to 10,000 in 1910. However, the formation of the United States Motor Corporation by Benjamin Briscoe in 1910, which encompassed multiple car manufacturers, created financial challenges for Brush. The market for single-cylinder cars began to decline, and despite the introduction of the Liberty-Brush model in 1912, which was priced affordably at $350, production ceased by the end of 1913. Alanson P. Brush eventually left the company to pursue other ventures, including a consultancy that contributed to various automotive designs.