Schacht was an American marque of automobiles and High-wheelers from 1904 to 1913, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Schacht Manufacturing Company, later renamed Schacht Motor Car Company produced over 9,000 automobiles. The company was reorganized as the G.A. Schacht Motor Truck Company in 1914 and production of trucks and fire trucks continued until 1938.[1][2]
History
The Schacht Manufacturing Company was started by William and Gustav Schacht in Cincinnati, Ohio, producing buggies. A sideline business of manufacturing automobile components grew into producing their first high-wheeler automobile in 1904. The Schacht was a twin-cylinder 10hprunabout, designed for rural roads with carriage wheels.[1]
Advertised as "the simplest, most practical, efficient and economical car made", it had a steering wheel and attractive brass radiator from the beginning. The High-wheeler's were priced in the $650 (equivalent to $22,042 in 2023) range and were extremely popular. In 1905 a larger 4-cylinder, 40hp touring car was added and marketed until 1907. The touring car was luxury priced at $2,800 to $3,200, equivalent to $108,516 in 2023. From 1908 to 1911 only high-wheel cars were produced.[1]
The high-wheelers steadily grew more powerful resulting in the twin-cylinder engine rated at 24hp by 1910. In 1911 Schacht returned to producing conventional touring cars with the 4-cylinder Model AA mid-priced at $1,385, equivalent to $45,290 in 2023. Schacht marketed a "Three Purpose Car" which was a runabout that was convertible to a family car or delivery wagon.[2]
Gustav and William Schacht reported a "lack of good business system in all departments" and reorganized as the G. A. Schacht Motor Truck Company in 1914.[1] Schacht purchased or merged several times with other truck companies and continued building trucks and fire trucks until 1938.[2]
Gallery
1904 Schacht Twin 10hp Runabout
Advertising for 1908 Schacht
1907 Schacht Model H Runabout
1911 Schacht advertisement in the Horseless Age
1912 Indianapolis 500, Bill Endicott on Schacht #18. 5th place.
1913 Schacht advertisement in Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal
1913 Indianapolis 500 - John Jenkins on Schacht #18. Retired, crankcase failure.
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