Clark [2] (United States)

Clark Steam Automobiles was an early American automobile manufacturer founded by Edward S. Clark in Boston, Massachusetts. The company emerged from Clark's initial venture into steam boiler production, which he began in 1895. By the early 1900s, he started experimenting with steam-powered vehicles, leading to the development of his first models around 1900.

The early Clark automobiles were characterized by their lightweight construction and unique design features, such as folding passenger seats positioned ahead of the driver and a single-chain drive system. By 1904, Clark introduced a more substantial vehicle equipped with a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine located under the seat, while the boiler was positioned ahead, beneath the rear-facing passenger seat. The design included a vertical steering column, which was considered somewhat outdated by the standards of the time.

In 1905, Clark's steamers underwent further modernization, featuring sloping steering columns and front-end designs that resembled radiators, complemented by side-entrance tourer bodies. Despite their advancements, Clark vehicles were priced significantly higher than competitors, with a top price of $5,000, while comparable models from the White Motor Company ranged from $2,500 to $2,700. By 1909, the price of Clark's offerings was reduced to $2,750 for a more stylish four-seater roadster. However, sales remained limited, and it appeared that automobile manufacturing was a secondary pursuit for Clark, who primarily focused on producing components and providing general repair and painting services for various vehicles.

Between 1910 and 1912, Clark briefly ventured into the production of petrol-engine trucks featuring two-stroke engines, but this endeavor did not lead to a lasting legacy in the automotive industry. Ultimately, Clark Steam Automobiles did not incorporate as a formal company, reflecting its status as a minor player in the early automotive landscape.