Eldredge [1] / National Road Car (United States) - AllCarIndex

Eldredge was an automobile manufacturer that operated from 1903 to 1906, based in Belvidere, Illinois. The company originated from the National Sewing Machine Company, which had been established in 1894 and initially focused on producing sewing machines. The transition to automobile manufacturing was seen as a logical progression, leading to the production of bicycles and subsequently cars.

In 1903, Eldredge began manufacturing automobiles, initially under a contract to produce vehicles for Oscar Friedman of Chicago, who intended to sell them under his own name. However, the company reportedly failed to deliver any cars to Friedman. Despite this setback, the vehicles produced by Eldredge and the Friedman model exhibited notable similarities, including design features such as a curved radiator and a two-cylinder engine located under the seat. The Eldredge was rated at 8 horsepower, while the Friedman was described as having 6 horsepower. Both models utilized tiller steering and chain drive systems.

As the production progressed, later models of the Eldredge featured left-hand wheel steering, indicating an evolution in design and functionality. The company’s brief existence reflected the early automotive industry's experimentation and development during the early 20th century.