Carter Twin-Engine (United States) - AllCarIndex

Carter Motor Car Company was an American automobile manufacturer based in Hyattsville, Maryland, active from 1907 to 1908. The company was founded by Howard A. Carter, who designed a unique vehicle featuring two four-cylinder engines mounted side by side under the bonnet. Each engine was equipped with its own radiator, ignition system, and exhaust, allowing for redundancy; if one engine failed, the other could still power the vehicle.

The Carter automobile was offered as a five-seater tourer, priced at $5,000. This high cost was partly attributed to the complexity of the dual-engine design. However, the innovative concept did not resonate with consumers, who generally preferred the simplicity of a single-engine vehicle. As a result, very few units were sold during the company's brief existence.

In 1909, the company underwent a change in leadership when Howard A. Carter's brother, Gary A. Carter, took over the factory. Under his direction, the company shifted its focus to producing a different model known as the Washington.