Empire [3] (United States) - AllCarIndex

Empire was an American automobile manufacturer founded in 1904 by the Terwilliger brothers, who had previously experimented with steam-powered vehicles as early as 1897. The company was based in Amsterdam, New York, and initially focused on producing steam cars.

The first model introduced by Empire featured a 15-horsepower, two-cylinder engine that was uniquely mounted pivotally from the rear axle. This design allowed for a more efficient use of space and weight distribution. The vehicle also included a boiler positioned amidships, located beneath the front seat of a five-seater rear-entrance tonneau body style.

Empire's steam car was notable for its longer wheelbase of 87 inches (2210 mm), which was relatively large for the time. The vehicle was priced at $2,000, reflecting its advanced engineering and design for the early 20th century. The company contributed to the early development of steam automobiles, although it eventually ceased operations as the automotive industry evolved towards gasoline-powered vehicles.