Bradley

Bradley was a short-lived American automobile brand manufactured by the Bradley Motor Car Company in Cicero, Illinois. The company entered automobile production in 1920 with the Model H, a touring car powered by a four-cylinder Lycoming engine. The car used a 116-inch wheelbase and was offered at a listed price of $1,295, positioning it within the expanding market for conventional American touring automobiles of the early postwar period. In 1921, Bradley continued producing the Model H and broadened its range with the Model F. The Model F used a six-cylinder engine and was also offered as a tourer, with a listed price of $1,500. The addition of a larger six-cylinder model suggests an attempt to cover more than one segment of the contemporary market, with the Model H serving as the lower-priced offering and the Model F occupying a higher-priced position. The company's commercial life was extremely brief. In November 1920, the Bradley Motor Car Company entered involuntary receivership while production was still underway. Reported liabilities were approximately $100,000, although the company's assets were said to exceed that amount and included completed vehicles, partly assembled cars, and a substantial inventory. Despite those assets, the business was bankrupt by the end of 1921. Total production of the Bradley automobile was 263 cars. The brand therefore remained a minor and short-lived participant in the early American automobile industry. Its significance lies primarily in documenting the large number of small manufacturers that attempted to enter the United States automobile market during the period, rather than in sustained production, technological influence, or an enduring product line. Bradley is now a defunct historical automobile marque, and no current operating company, parent group, or official brand website is identified in the available reference material.

The Bradley automobile was manufactured by the Bradley Motor Car Company in Cicero, Illinois, during the early 1920s. The company was part of the crowded field of small American automobile manufacturers that emerged during the period when demand for privately owned motor vehicles was growing but before the industry had fully consolidated around a small number of mass-production leaders. Bradley began production in 1920 with the Model H tourer. The car was fitted with a four-cylinder Lycoming engine, rode on a 116-inch wheelbase, and had a selling price of $1,295. Its configuration reflected the prevailing American market for practical open touring cars, which were commonly marketed as general-purpose family and leisure vehicles. The Model H formed the initial basis of the Bradley range and remained in production into the following year. The company expanded the line in 1921 with the Model F. This car was powered by a six-cylinder engine and was also offered as a tourer. At $1,500, it occupied a higher price position than the Model H and gave Bradley a second model intended for customers seeking a larger or more powerful automobile. The available record does not identify additional body styles, major engineering innovations, or a broader dealer network. Bradley's production effort was undermined by financial difficulties almost immediately. In November 1920, the Bradley Motor Car Company went into involuntary receivership. Its liabilities were reported at approximately $100,000, although its assets were described as greater than its debts. Those assets included completed automobiles, partly assembled vehicles, and a large inventory. The presence of unsold or unfinished stock indicates that the company had committed resources to production but could not maintain a viable business structure. The company was bankrupt by the end of 1921. Across its short operating period, only 263 Bradley automobiles were produced. No later continuation of the marque, successor ownership, or modern revival is identified in the available reference material. Bradley consequently represents a brief and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to establish an independent American automobile brand during the formative years of the United States motor industry.

• 1921

  Model F joins the range

  [1]Bradley (automobile)en.wikipedia.org

  Bradley adds the six-cylinder Model F tourer, listed at $1,500, while continuing the Model H.

• 1921

  Bankruptcy and end of production

  [1]Bradley (automobile)en.wikipedia.org

  The company becomes bankrupt by the end of the year. Total Bradley automobile production reaches 263 cars.

• 1920

  Production begins with the Model H

  [1]Bradley (automobile)en.wikipedia.org

  Bradley begins automobile production in Cicero, Illinois, with the four-cylinder Model H tourer, priced at $1,295.

• 1920

  Involuntary receivership

  [1]Bradley (automobile)en.wikipedia.org

  In November, the Bradley Motor Car Company enters involuntary receivership with reported liabilities of approximately $100,000.

A small American automobile manufacturer offering conventionally styled touring cars in multiple engine sizes during the early 1920s.

• Touring automobile · 1920

  Bradley Model H

  The Model H was Bradley's initial production automobile, introduced in 1920 and continued into 1921. It was a touring car powered by a four-cylinder Lycoming engine and built on a 116-inch wheelbase. Its listed selling price was $1,295. The model represented Bradley's entry into the American market for practical open passenger cars.

• Touring automobile · 1921

  Bradley Model F

  The Model F was introduced in 1921 as a larger-engine companion to the Model H. It used a six-cylinder engine and was available as a tourer at a listed price of $1,500. The model broadened Bradley's offering toward a more expensive segment, but its production took place during the company's receivership and shortly before its bankruptcy.

• 1921

  Launch of the Model FProduct launch

  Background

  Bradley was continuing to produce the four-cylinder Model H but was operating under severe financial pressure after entering receivership in late 1920.

  Action taken

  The company introduced the six-cylinder Model F tourer at a listed price of $1,500.

  Aftermath

  The expanded model range did not prevent the company from becoming bankrupt by the end of 1921.

  Listed vehicle price. $1,295 for the Model H → $1,500 for the Model F (1921)

  Source

• 1920

  Receivership following financial distressOther

  Background

  The company had vehicles and inventory on hand but faced reported liabilities of approximately $100,000.

  Action taken

  Bradley entered involuntary receivership in November 1920.

  Aftermath

  The company was bankrupt by the end of 1921, and total production ended at 263 automobiles.

  Reported liabilities. Approximately $100,000 (November 1920)

  Source

1. 1Bradley (automobile)en.wikipedia.org