Case [1] (United States)

Case was an American automobile brand produced by the J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company, which was well-known for manufacturing agricultural machinery, including threshing machines and steam traction engines. The company began car production in 1911 after acquiring the factory of the defunct Pierce-Racine company. The initial model was a 40-horsepower four-cylinder vehicle, which was essentially a renamed version of the Pierce-Racine car. Subsequently, smaller models with 25 and 30 horsepower were introduced.

The engines for Case vehicles were produced in-house, while many other components were sourced from various suppliers, including transmissions from Brown-Lipe, rear axles from Weston-Mott, and carburetors from Rayfield. The peak production year for Case occurred in 1915, during which the company manufactured 2,630 cars. These vehicles were distributed through an extensive dealer network that primarily catered to the agricultural sector.

In 1918, Case transitioned to a six-cylinder engine supplied by Continental, which became the sole engine supplier for the brand for the next nine years. The initial engine was rated at 29.4 horsepower and was gradually upgraded to 31.5 horsepower by 1923. Typically, only one engine size was offered each year, although in some years, such as 1923, two different sizes were available. A smaller 3,670 cc Continental engine was introduced in 1922, but overall production began to decline during the 1920s. Output fell significantly from 1,936 cars in 1920 to just 636 in 1926, and in its final year of production in 1927, only 187 cars were delivered.

The vehicles produced by Case featured an eagle emblem, which was inspired by "Old Abe," the famous mascot of the Wisconsin Regiment that served from 1861 to 1881. Despite its roots in agricultural machinery, Case's foray into the automotive industry was short-lived, and the brand ceased production in 1927.