Clark-Hatfield (United States) - AllCarIndex

The Clark-Hatfield Automobile Company was established in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and operated from 1908 to 1909. It emerged from a background in buggy manufacturing, reflecting the transition of many early automotive companies from horse-drawn vehicles to motorized transport.

The company produced a typical high-wheeler automobile, which was powered by a 14-horsepower, two-cylinder engine. A distinctive feature of the Clark-Hatfield vehicle was its friction transmission, which was mounted in front of the engine rather than the more common rear placement. This design choice likely necessitated a lengthy final drive chain, setting it apart from contemporaneous models.

After just one year of automobile production, the Clark-Hatfield Automobile Company shifted its focus to manufacturing truck bodies, rebranding itself as the J.L. Clark Manufacturing Company. This transition marked the end of its brief foray into the automotive market.