Correja

Correja was an early American automobile marque associated with Vandewater & Co., a manufacturer that operated first in Iselin and later in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The marque emerged in 1908, when its first automobile was introduced as a 1909 model. Production continued through 1915, placing Correja among the many small American automobile ventures that appeared during the formative years of the industry and later disappeared as manufacturing became more capital-intensive and competitive. The first Correja was a conventional but substantially engineered touring automobile. Its design used a four-cylinder Waukesha engine rated at approximately 39 horsepower, a three-speed transmission, shaft drive, left-hand steering, and a 110-inch wheelbase. The company offered several open body configurations, including a touring car and runabout variants with either one or two rumble seats. The car was priced at $1,900 when introduced, positioning it as a relatively expensive automobile for the period. Contemporary company descriptions acknowledged that the design was not especially original, while emphasizing workmanship as a distinguishing quality. In 1909, the automobile began to be promoted as the Model T, with advertising describing output of 40 horsepower. The naming should not be confused with Ford's Model T: Correja's Model T was a separate, higher-priced American automobile produced by Vandewater & Co. The 1910 model was listed at $2,200 and reportedly received few major mechanical or styling changes. Cars for that model year were described as dark green with red running gear, a color treatment characteristic of the period's early automobile styling. Vandewater & Co. moved its operations from Iselin to Elizabeth in 1909. In 1910, the business was incorporated with stated capitalization of $100,000. The incorporators were J. Correja, F. C. Vandewater, E. Vandewater, and S. R. Vandewater. The available historical record identifies these individuals as incorporators, but does not establish a fuller management structure or clarify the precise relationship between J. Correja and the marque's name. Correja remained a small-scale automobile producer rather than developing into a major national manufacturer. Information about later models, production volumes, distribution, advertising, and the circumstances of the marque's end is limited. The surviving record nevertheless documents a recognizable product program and a short production period extending from 1908 to 1915. The brand is now historically significant mainly as an example of the numerous independent American automobile makers active before the industry consolidated around a smaller number of large manufacturers.

Correja was introduced in the United States during the early expansion of the automobile industry. The first car appeared around August 1908 as a 1909 model and was publicly presented simply as “The Correja.” It was manufactured by Vandewater & Co., initially based in Iselin, New Jersey. The launch version used a Waukesha four-cylinder engine developing approximately 39 horsepower, a three-speed gearbox, shaft drive, left-hand steering, and a 110-inch wheelbase. Buyers could choose among open touring and runabout bodies, including runabouts configured with one or two rumble seats. The introductory price was $1,900. The automobile was a relatively conventional product. Company descriptions conceded that it was not highly original in design but claimed that its workmanship was strong. That combination—established mechanical practice and careful construction—was typical of many small manufacturers seeking customers in a crowded market of early American automobile brands. Vandewater & Co. relocated from Iselin to Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1909. During that year the car began to be advertised as the Model T, with its output stated as 40 horsepower. This designation represented Correja's own model naming and was unrelated to Ford's much more famous Model T. For 1910, the price rose to $2,200, while the available historical account reports no substantial technical changes. The cars were associated with dark-green bodies and red running gear. In 1910, Vandewater & Co. was incorporated with $100,000 in stated capitalization. The named incorporators were J. Correja, F. C. Vandewater, E. Vandewater, and S. R. Vandewater. The record does not provide enough information to determine whether all four held operating executive positions or to describe the company's ownership beyond their incorporation role. Correja automobiles continued to be produced until 1915. Detailed information about the marque's later product evolution, annual output, sales network, and closure is not established in the supplied historical material. The brand's documented life therefore consists primarily of its 1908 introduction, the 1909 Model T naming, the 1910 corporate incorporation and price increase, and production through 1915. Correja's history illustrates the brief trajectory of an independent American automobile maker that competed through a well-equipped conventional car but did not survive as a continuing automobile company.

• 1915

  Production period ends

  [1]Correjaen.wikipedia.org

  The documented production period of the Correja automobile ended in 1915.

• 1910

  Vandewater & Co. incorporated

  [1]Correjaen.wikipedia.org

  The company was incorporated with stated capitalization of $100,000. J. Correja, F. C. Vandewater, E. Vandewater, and S. R. Vandewater were named as incorporators.

• 1910

  Model-year price increase

  [1]Correjaen.wikipedia.org

  The 1910 Correja was priced at $2,200, up from the introductory price, with no major changes reported for the model cycle.

• 1909

  Operations move to Elizabeth

  [1]Correjaen.wikipedia.org

  Vandewater & Co. moved its operations from Iselin to Elizabeth, New Jersey.

• 1909

  Model T designation adopted

  [1]Correjaen.wikipedia.org

  The Correja began to be referred to and advertised as the Model T, with the engine promoted as producing 40 horsepower.

• 1908

  Correja automobile introduced

  [1]Correjaen.wikipedia.org

  Vandewater & Co. unveiled the first Correja around August as a 1909 model. The car was offered in touring and runabout configurations and used a Waukesha four-cylinder engine.

A small American automobile marque positioned around substantial workmanship and a conventional, powerful four-cylinder touring-car design rather than distinctive technical originality.

• Touring and runabout automobile · 1908

  The Correja

  The first Correja automobile was introduced around August 1908 as a 1909 model. It used a four-cylinder Waukesha engine rated at about 39 horsepower, a three-speed transmission, shaft drive, left-hand steering, and a 110-inch wheelbase. Initial body choices included a touring car and runabout forms, with runabouts available with one or two rumble seats. The introductory price was $1,900.

• Passenger automobile · 1909

  Correja Model T

  Beginning in 1909, the Correja was advertised as the Model T and promoted with approximately 40 horsepower. The 1910 version was priced at $2,200 and reportedly retained the basic design without significant changes. Contemporary descriptions associate the model with dark-green paint and red running gear. It was a separate product from Ford's Model T despite sharing the designation.

• 1910

  Increase in 1910 model pricePrice change

  Background

  The 1910 model was described as having no significant changes from the preceding model cycle.

  Action taken

  The listed price increased from $1,900 for the introductory car to $2,200 for the 1910 model.

  Aftermath

  No information is available on the effect of the increase on demand, distribution, or sales.

  Listed vehicle price. $1,900 → $2,200 (1908 introductory model to 1910 model)

  Source

• 1909

  Adoption of the Model T designationStrategy

  Background

  After the initial Correja launch, the automobile was promoted under the Model T name while retaining the Correja marque.

  Action taken

  Vandewater & Co. advertised the car as the Model T and described its engine as producing 40 horsepower.

  Aftermath

  The designation was used for the documented 1909 and 1910 model period; the supplied sources do not establish its later use.

  Source

1. 1Correjaen.wikipedia.org