FRP (United States) - AllCarIndex

The Finley-Robertson-Porter Company, commonly referred to as F.R.P., was an American automobile manufacturer based in Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York. Founded by Finley Robertson Porter in 1914, the company aimed to produce high-performance automobiles that showcased advanced engineering and design. Porter had previously worked with Mercer, where he contributed to the development of the T-head four-cylinder engine before establishing his own brand.

F.R.P. introduced its flagship model, the Model 45, which was notable for its powerful engine. The promotional materials claimed a horsepower rating of 34 hp according to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) formula, while actual performance figures suggested it could achieve up to 170 hp at maximum speed. This positioned the F.R.P. as one of the most powerful road cars available in the United States at the time. The company offered the Model 45 in three different wheelbase configurations: Series A (110 inches), Series B (140 inches), and Series C (130 inches), with all chassis priced at $5,000.

The F.R.P. vehicles featured bodies crafted by notable coachbuilders, including Holbrook and M. Armstrong & Co. The company actively promoted its cars through advertisements in various magazines and showcased them at events, such as the exhibition at New York City's Hotel Astor in January 1916. Despite the ambitious plans, the total number of F.R.P. cars produced remains unknown, with only a few documented sales, including several touring cars purchased by a Wisconsin industrialist.

The onset of World War I led to the government occupying the F.R.P. factory, which hindered production. After the war, Robertson chose not to resume manufacturing and sold the remaining parts to the American & British Motor Corporation in Bridgeport, Connecticut. This company continued production under the name "Porter," with Porter himself serving as a consultant. A limited number of Porter cars were completed between 1919 and 1922. Today, only one F.R.P. vehicle is known to have survived.