Frontenac [1] (United States) - AllCarIndex

Frontenac was an automobile manufacturer based in Newburgh, New York, operating from 1906 to 1913. The company originated from Abendroth & Root Manufacturing Co., which had a history in producing boilers, tubes, and other metal goods since the 1870s. Transitioning into the automotive sector, Frontenac introduced a line of vehicles characterized by their large and expensive designs.

The Frontenac vehicles were powered by a 40/45 horsepower four-cylinder Continental engine and utilized a shaft drive system. The company offered a range of models, including a tourer, runabout, and limousine, all built on a 124-inch (3147 mm) wheelbase. Notably, the limousine and tourer bodies were significantly larger than that of the runabout, which was an unusual design choice. The pricing for these vehicles was high, with the limousine model costing around $5,000.

In its initial years, Frontenac produced approximately a dozen cars in 1906 and around 100 in 1907. However, sales began to decline after this period. Although the brand remained listed until 1913, production dwindled significantly in the following years as the company chose to refocus on its core manufacturing business rather than continue in the automotive market.