Great Western [3] (United States)

Great Western Automobile Company was an American automobile manufacturer based in Peru, Indiana, that operated from 1910 to 1916. The company was founded by E.A. Myers, who had previously produced vehicles under the name Star and earlier, the Model. The initial offerings of Great Western were closely related to the 1909 Star models, specifically the 30, 40, and 50 horsepower variants.

In 1911, Great Western expanded its lineup by introducing an updated range of body styles while maintaining the 40 horsepower four-cylinder engine. The company produced five open models, including both 2-seater and 5-seater configurations, and added a sedan model in 1913. However, in 1912, Myers sold his Model Gas Engine Works to a firm in Pittsburgh, a decision that would later impact the company’s fortunes.

The company experimented with innovative engine designs, including the Carter piston-valve engine in 1914. By 1916, Great Western shifted its focus from four-cylinder engines to a more affordable small six-cylinder engine producing 21.6 horsepower. Priced at $1,185, this model was significantly cheaper than the previous 40 horsepower four-cylinder models from 1915. Despite these efforts, the new model did not achieve commercial success, and Great Western ceased operations before the end of 1916, with its failure attributed to issues with the engines supplied from Pittsburgh.