History of Pullman automobile in Timeline

The Pullman was an American automobile produced in York, Pennsylvania, initially by the York Motor Car Company (1905-1909) and later by the Pullman Motor Car Company (1909-1917). It represents an early example of American automotive manufacturing and innovation. The Pullman brand existed for over a decade, contributing to the burgeoning automobile industry of the early 20th century.

1903: First Pullman Car Built

In 1903, Albert P. Brumell built his first car, named the Pullman, featuring six wheels and built in the Hardinge factory.

1903: Car Crash

In 1903, the six-wheeled Pullman car's design flaws, such as susceptibility to suspension and see-sawing, contributed to a car crash. The vehicle was subsequently dismantled and rebuilt into a more conventional four-wheel configuration.

1905: York Motor Car Company Established

In 1905, Brunnell and Samuel E. Baily established the York Motor Car Company. James A. Kline also joined to design an improved car. Thirteen York pilot cars were built in 1905.

1906: First Full Year of Production

In 1906, the York Motor Car Company had its first full year of production, manufacturing 273 cars.

1907: Financial Assistance Needed

Due to the Panic of 1907, the York Motor Car Company needed financial assistance, leading to Thomas O'Connor and Oscar Stephenson of New York City becoming investors.

1908: James Kline and Samuel Baily Depart

In 1908, James Kline and Samuel Baily departed the York Motor Car Company.

1908: York Factory to San Francisco Drive

In 1908, a Pullman vehicle was driven from the York factory to San Francisco and back over a period of about a month to prove its reliability, a challenging journey given the incomplete Lincoln Highway.

1909: Annual Production Exceeds One Thousand Cars

By 1909, annual production of Pullman cars exceeded one thousand cars.

1909: Pullman Motor Car Company

In 1909, the Pullman was manufactured by the Pullman Motor Car Company.

1909: Reorganized as Pullman Motor Car Company

In 1909, the York Motor Car Company was reorganized as the Pullman Motor Car Company.

1910: Kline Kar Production

In 1910, James Kline and Samuel Baily went back into automobile production with the Kline Kar.

1910: Pullman Wins Fairmount Park Road Race

In 1910, a Pullman won the famed Fairmount Park Road Race in Philadelphia.

1910: Annual Production Exceeds Two Thousand Cars

In 1910, annual production of Pullman cars was increased to more than two thousand.

1911: Russian Exposition Victory

In 1911, Pullman was awarded three gold medals at the Russian Exposition in Rostov on Don, considered an unprecedented "victory" for an American automobile manufacturer.

1912: Introduction of Sixty-hp Six-Cylinder Car

In 1912, Pullman introduced a sixty-hp six-cylinder car on a 138-inch wheelbase that was priced at $2,750.

1915: Production Exceeds Four Thousand Cars

By 1915, annual production of Pullman cars was more than four thousand cars. The Cutler-Hammer electric gear change was also offered; however, quality issues resulted from the high production and sales severely declined. E. T. Birdsall was brought in from White Motor Company to design a lower priced car to be called the Pullman Junior.

December 1916: Bankruptcy Declared

In December 1916, the Pullman Motor Car Company declared bankruptcy.

1916: Pullman Junior Introduced

In 1916, the Pullman Junior, with a twenty-two-hp Golden Belknap & Schwartz engine that was priced at $740, was introduced.

1917: Pullman Junior Only Car Produced

In 1917, the Pullman Junior was the only car produced while the company was under receivership.

1917: Company Ceases Operations

In 1917, the Pullman Motor Car Company ceased operations; the factory was sold to Bell Motor Car Co., and the rest of the company's assets were sold at sale in July of that year.

1917: End of Pullman Production

In 1917, the Pullman was no longer manufactured by Pullman Motor Car Company.

2025: Equivalent Price of Pullman Junior

In 2025, the equivalent price of the Pullman Junior introduced in 1916 would be $21,894.

2025: Equivalent Price of First Pullmans

In 2025, the equivalent price of the first Pullmans, which were large Touring and Runabout cars with twenty-hp or forty-hp engines priced from $2,000 to $2,500, would be $89,583.