Lexington

Lexington was an American automobile brand produced from 1909 to 1927. Although the supplied market metadata identifies Sweden, the authoritative subject is Lexington (automobile), a United States marque rather than the modern Swedish apparel and home-textile brand. The company began in Lexington, Kentucky, where it was established in 1909 by Kinzea Stone, a Kentucky race-horse promoter from Georgetown. The young business soon outgrew its original premises. In 1910, Connersville, Indiana, business leaders persuaded the company to relocate to their community, whose carriage-manufacturing economy was under pressure from the rise of the automobile. Lexington moved into a new plant in the McFarlan industrial park at 800 West 18th Street, with headquarters at 1950 Columbia Avenue. Lexington was typical of many early Indiana automobile manufacturers in relying on assembly rather than complete vertical integration. Cars were built from components obtained from multiple suppliers, while the company concentrated on vehicle design, engineering, assembly, marketing, and later engine production through related corporate structures. Chief engineer John C. Moore worked to improve the marque's technical competitiveness. A notable 1911 engineering feature was a multiple-exhaust arrangement, with separate exhaust outlets for the cylinders; contemporary reporting claimed improved power and fuel economy. Lexington also sought publicity and technical credibility through competition, entering the Glidden Tour and the Indianapolis 500 in 1912. Financial difficulties led to a major change in 1913, when E. W. Ansted acquired Lexington. The business was temporarily associated with the assembly of six-cylinder Howard automobiles and operated as Lexington-Howard before returning to the Lexington Motor Company name in 1915. The product range expanded from four-cylinder cars to light and larger six-cylinder models. By 1916, Lexington was using Continental engines, while Ansted-related engineering activities supplied increasingly powerful powerplants. The company expanded its Connersville facilities in 1915 and added a large assembly building in 1919. Related Ansted facilities, including an engine plant, helped create a substantial industrial complex spanning several city blocks. The marque's strongest period came around 1920. Lexington built specialized short-wheelbase racing cars for the Pikes Peak hill climb, finishing first and second on its initial 1920 attempt. Otto Loesche later won the event again in 1924, securing the Penrose Trophy for permanent display. In January 1920, Lexington became part of the newly announced United States Automotive Corporation, a $10 million combination involving Lexington, Ansted Engineering, Connersville Foundry, and Teetor-Harley Motor Corporation. Production reached its reported high point in 1920, when more than 6,000 Lexington cars were built. The company then faced recession, declining production, financial strain, and corporate restructuring. William C. Durant's Durant Motors ordered 30,000 Ansted engines in late 1921 for the Durant Six, but the Ansted engine business also faced a patent-infringement action brought by engineer Alanson Partridge Brush. Production fell sharply after 1920, and both Ansted Engine Company and Lexington entered receivership in 1923. E. L. Cord's Auburn Automobile Company acquired Ansted Engine in 1926 and the Lexington Motor Car Company in 1927. Lexington automobiles were subsequently phased out, ending the brand's manufacturing life. Its historical significance rests on its role in Indiana's early automobile industry, its broad six-cylinder model range, and its use of engineering, racing, and industrial consolidation to compete in the rapidly developing American motor market.

Lexington originated in 1909 in Lexington, Kentucky, under Kinzea Stone. The company soon required more space, and in 1910 it accepted an inducement from Connersville, Indiana, businessmen to move into the McFarlan industrial district. Connersville had a strong carriage-making tradition, but automobile production offered a possible industrial successor as motor vehicles displaced horse-drawn transportation. The company operated as an assembler, using parts from various suppliers. Chief engineer John C. Moore pursued technical improvements, including a multiple-exhaust system introduced during the early years. Lexington also entered the Glidden Tour and Indianapolis 500 in 1912, associating the brand with endurance and speed. Financial pressure led to E. W. Ansted's acquisition in 1913. The company temporarily became Lexington-Howard while assembling six-cylinder Howard vehicles for a Chicago distributor, then returned to the Lexington Motor Company name in 1915. Lexington broadened its range from four-cylinder cars to light and larger six-cylinder models. It used Continental engines in 1916 and developed a stronger relationship with Ansted engineering operations. A redesigned frame introduced in 1917 used a rigid box cross-section intended to reduce body and door problems caused by frame flexing. Enclosed bodies supplied by Rex Manufacturing appeared in 1918. Lexington and related Ansted facilities expanded repeatedly, including a major assembly building completed in 1919. In 1920, the company became part of United States Automotive Corporation, a combination involving several Connersville-area and Indiana automotive businesses. That year also marked Lexington's reported production peak, at more than 6,000 vehicles. The company promoted performance through hill-climb racing: Lexington-built cars finished first and second in the 1920 Pikes Peak event, and Otto Loesche won again in 1924. The post-World War I downturn caused a severe decline in output. Production in 1922 was approximately one-third of the 1920 level, and the Ansted engine operation entered receivership in 1923. Lexington entered receivership the same year. A patent dispute concerning the Ansted engine added legal pressure. Auburn Automobile Company, controlled by E. L. Cord, bought Ansted Engine in 1926 and Lexington in 1927. Lexington automobiles were then discontinued, closing the brand's manufacturing history.

• 1927

  Acquisition and phase-out

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

  Auburn Automobile Company acquires Lexington, and the marque is soon discontinued.

• 1923

  Receivership

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

  Lexington enters receivership as production and finances deteriorate.

• 1920

  Formation of United States Automotive Corporation

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

  Lexington joins a multi-company automotive combination and reaches its reported production high.

• 1913

  Acquisition by E. W. Ansted

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

  Ansted acquires Lexington amid financial difficulties.

• 1912

  First documented major competition entries

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

  The marque enters the Glidden Tour and Indianapolis 500.

• 1910

  Relocation to Connersville

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

  Lexington moves to a new plant in Connersville, Indiana.

• 1909

  Lexington Motor Company is founded

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

  Kinzea Stone establishes the automobile company in Lexington, Kentucky.

A mainstream-to-premium American automobile marque that emphasized engineering improvements, six-cylinder performance, varied body styles, and competition success.

• Passenger automobiles · 1910

  Early four-cylinder Lexington automobiles

  The earliest Lexington cars, produced from 1910 through 1913, used four-cylinder engines and were offered on wheelbases ranging from approximately 116 to 122 inches. Body styles included two-seat runabouts and roadsters, five- and seven-passenger touring cars, and limousines.

• Six-cylinder automobiles · 1915

  Light Six and Supreme Six

  Introduced during Lexington's expansion into six-cylinder vehicles, the Light Six was rated at 29 horsepower and the Supreme Six at 41 horsepower. Both were offered in several touring, roadster, and limousine configurations, with the Supreme Six using the longer wheelbase.

• Six-cylinder automobile · 1916

  Thoroughbred Six

  The Thoroughbred Six was one of Lexington's better-known higher-powered models. It formed part of the company's six-cylinder range during the mid-1910s and was marketed alongside the Minute Man line.

• Six-cylinder automobile · 1916

  Minute Man Six

  The Minute Man Six was a six-cylinder Lexington offered in touring and enclosed body styles. Later versions belonged to the company's 1924-1925 range, where the Minute Man designation represented the more powerful of two principal model series.

• Six-cylinder automobile · 1924

  Concord

  The Concord was offered in 1924 and 1925 as the lower-powered of Lexington's two principal model series for those years. It used a six-cylinder engine rated at 65 horsepower and was available in touring, sedan, coupe, and other body configurations.

• Six-cylinder automobile · 1926

  Model 6-50

  The Model 6-50 was Lexington's late model, offered in 1926 and 1927. It retained the Concord's engine and wheelbase and could be specified as a roadster, landaulet, phaeton, sedan, or landau sedan.

• 1924Otto Loesche Pikes Peak victory

  United States

  Lexington returned to Pikes Peak competition with Otto Loesche driving.

  Outcome. Loesche won with an 18-minute, 15-second run, and the Penrose Trophy became a permanent Lexington-associated trophy.

  Source
• 1920Pikes Peak hill-climb program

  United States

  Lexington built two short-wheelbase racing cars powered by Ansted engines for the Pikes Peak hill climb.

  Outcome. The cars finished first and second on their first outing and won the Penrose Trophy.

  Source
• 1912Glidden Tour and Indianapolis 500 entries

  United States

  Lexington entered the Glidden Tour and Indianapolis 500 to demonstrate the durability and performance of its automobiles.

  Outcome. The entries provided competition exposure, but the available source does not specify detailed results.

  Source

• 1927

  Acquisition by Auburn Automobile CompanyM&A

  Background

  Lexington had entered receivership in 1923 and remained commercially weakened.

  Action taken

  E. L. Cord's Auburn Automobile Company purchased the Lexington Motor Car Company.

  Aftermath

  Lexington automobiles were phased out, ending production under the marque.

  Source

• 1920

  Combination into United States Automotive CorporationM&A

  Background

  Lexington and several related Indiana automotive businesses sought scale and corporate integration.

  Action taken

  Lexington joined Ansted Engineering, Connersville Foundry, and Teetor-Harley Motor Corporation in United States Automotive Corporation.

  Aftermath

  The year marked Lexington's reported production peak, but the combined enterprise later suffered from recession and entered financial distress.

  Reported production. Over 6,000 Lexington automobiles (1920)

  Source

• 1913

  Acquisition by E. W. AnstedM&A

  Background

  Lexington experienced financial difficulties during its early expansion.

  Action taken

  E. W. Ansted acquired the company and linked it to Howard automobile assembly operations.

  Aftermath

  The business used the Lexington-Howard name temporarily and resumed the Lexington Motor Company name in 1915.

  Source

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