1912 Pathfinder C-Cab Delivery Van

Description

Based in Indianapolis, Indiana the Motor Car Manufacturing Company was established by the creditors of the defunct Parry Automobile Company and for a brief period in the early part of the 20th Century, produced some fine vehicles with four, six and even twelve cylinders. Although Pathfinder's slogan was ?known for reliability?, early models sold more on looks, with attractive styling and a range of bright colour schemes. Indeed, the first model to reach production, the 1912 Series XII, was sold in four distinct versions, including the Model A Touring, Model B Phaeton, Model C Armored Roadster and the grandly named Model D Martha Washington Coach. All 1912 chassis were powered by Continental four-cylinder engines, with a bore and stroke of 4 1/8-inches x 5 ¼-inches and rated at 40 horsepower. Mounted on a conventional chassis with a 118-inch wheelbase, the Pathfinder utilised high quality proprietary components. The model range expanded in 1913 and the following year saw the addition of a six-cylinder. In 1916-17, the final two years of production, Pathfinder rather ambitiously moved to a 60 horsepower twelve-cylinder car, described as ?Pathfinder the Great, King of Twelves?. Pathfinder struggled during the First World War period, with production limited by a shortage of materials and folded at the end of 1917. Few Pathfinders of any type survive, although one of the impressive Twelves could be found in the world renowned Harrah Collection in Reno, Nevada.