Bay State [2] (United States)

Bay State was an American automobile manufacturer founded in 1921 by R.H. Long in Framingham, Massachusetts. Long, who was previously a shoe manufacturer and an aspiring politician, ventured into the automotive industry with the aim of producing cars that would appeal to the local market. The company commenced production shortly after its establishment, and by 1922, it had a workforce of approximately 400 employees, producing several hundred vehicles annually.

The Bay State automobiles were noted for their aesthetically pleasing designs, crafted by Herbert C. Snow, an engineer with experience at notable companies such as Peerless, Willys-Overland, and Winton. The vehicles featured a fully-assembled construction and were powered by a Continental 6-cylinder engine. The initial model, the 6R, was introduced in 1922, followed by an updated version, the 8R, in 1923 and 1924. The lineup included a variety of open and closed body styles, with prices ranging from $1,095 to $2,395 during the years 1923 to 1925.

Bay State's distribution primarily focused on Massachusetts and neighboring states, including Connecticut, New Hampshire, and parts of New York. The company experienced its peak production in its first year, but output declined significantly by 1924. In 1925, an eight-cylinder model was introduced, utilizing a Lycoming engine; however, production had dwindled to just 50 cars that year, encompassing both six and eight-cylinder variants. By 1926, production had ceased, and the few remaining cars sold were essentially leftover units from previous years.

Despite the decline of the Bay State automobile line, the factory continued operations by producing the Luxor taxicab, a product associated with M.P. Muller’s taxi empire. The factory space had been rented to Muller in 1924. Additionally, the factory was involved in the production of the ill-fated Standish car and the initial units of Muller’s Elysee truck. Following the closure of Bay State, R.H. Long transitioned to establishing the R.H. Long Motor Sales Co., which became a distributor for Cadillac and remains operational as a General Motors dealership.