Climax (United States) - AllCarIndex

Climax Electric Works was an American automobile manufacturer based in New Salem, Massachusetts, that operated from 1906 to 1911. The company was founded by Levi W. Flagg and William E. Taft, who initially intended to produce electric vehicles. For the first two years, the company operated out of a henhouse owned by Flagg.

In its transition from electric to petrol-powered vehicles, Climax Electric Works introduced a roadster equipped with an 18-horsepower, two-cylinder engine. The vehicle was priced at $500, with a kit version available for $290. Notably, the company featured a centrally mounted steering column, a design element that was ahead of its time, predating similar innovations by several decades.

In 1908, Climax Electric Works moved to a purpose-built factory to support its production efforts. However, despite these advancements, the company faced financial difficulties and ultimately declared bankruptcy in 1911. Concurrently, a related entity known as the T & F Cyclecar Company emerged, which supplied components to cyclecar manufacturers and continued operations at least until 1915.