Figure 2. — Workmen in the Duryea factory in Springfield, Mass., working 

 on some of the thirteen 1896 motor wagons. (Smithsonian photo 44062.) 



Even while these cars were under construction Frank 

 was planning a lighter vehicle, one of which was 

 completed in October of 1896. This machine was 

 driven to another victory by Frank Duryea on 

 November 14, 1896, when he competed once again 

 with European-built cars in the Liberty-Day Run 

 from London to Brighton. The decision to race 

 and demonstrate their autos abroad was the result 

 of the company's desire to interest foreign capital, 

 yet Frank later felt they might better have used 

 their time and money by concentrating on building 

 cars and selling them to the local market. Sub- 

 sequently, in the fall of 1898, Frank arranged for 

 the sale of his and Charles' interest in the company, 

 and thereafter the brothers pursued separate careers. 

 Frank, in 1901, entered into a contract with the 



J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company, of Chicopee 

 Falls, Massachusetts, which built automobiles under 

 his supervision. This association led in 1904 to the 

 formation of the Stevens-Duryea Company, of 

 which Irving Page was president and Frank Duryea 

 was vice president and chief engineer. This com- 

 pany produced during its 10-year existence a number 

 of popular and well-known models, among them a 

 light six known as the Model U, in 1907; a larger 

 4-cylinder called the Model X, in 1908; and a larger 

 six, the Model Y, in 1909. In 1914 when Stevens 

 withdrew from the company, Frank obtained 

 control. The following year he sold the plants and 

 machinery, liquidated the company, and, due to 

 ill health, retired. 

 Charles, in the meantime, located in Reading, 



BULLETIN 240: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY 



