Detroit Automobile Company
Updated: 12/11/2025, 9:49:06 AM Wikipedia source
The Detroit Automobile Company (DAC) was an early American automobile manufacturer founded on August 5, 1899, in Detroit, Michigan. It was the first venture of its kind in Detroit. Automotive mechanic Henry Ford attracted the financial backing of twelve investors; Detroit Mayor William Maybury, William H. Murphy and others. As with many early car ventures, the company floundered, and it was dissolved in January 1901. Twenty vehicles were built and $86,000 ($2.61 million in 2019) of investment was lost.
Infobox
Founded
August 5, 1899; 126 years ago (1899-08-05)
Defunct
November 20, 1901 (1901-11-20)
Fate
Reorganized
Successor
Henry Ford Company
Headquarters
Detroit, Michigan
Tables
· History › Foundation
Automobile
Automobile
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Automobile
Original cost
Original cost
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Original cost
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$1,000
Cost of operating, .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- 1⁄4 cents per mile, 25 miles per day
Cost of operating, .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- 1⁄4 cents per mile, 25 miles per day
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Cost of operating, .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- 1⁄4 cents per mile, 25 miles per day
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$114
New tires
New tires
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
New tires
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$100
Repairs
Repairs
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Repairs
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$50
Painting vehicle four times
Painting vehicle four times
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Painting vehicle four times
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$100
Horse and Vehicle
Horse and Vehicle
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Horse and Vehicle
Original cost, horse, harness and vehicle
Original cost, horse, harness and vehicle
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Original cost, horse, harness and vehicle
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$500
Cost of keeping horse five years
Cost of keeping horse five years
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Cost of keeping horse five years
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$1,200
Shoeing the horse
Shoeing the horse
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Shoeing the horse
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$180
Repairs on vehicle, including rubber tires
Repairs on vehicle, including rubber tires
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Repairs on vehicle, including rubber tires
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$150
Repairs on harness, $10 per year
Repairs on harness, $10 per year
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Repairs on harness, $10 per year
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$50
Painting vehicle four times
Painting vehicle four times
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
Painting vehicle four times
Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs
$100
| Table 1. Detroit Automobile Car Costs | |
| Automobile | |
| Original cost | $1,000 |
| Cost of operating, .mw- .mw- 1⁄4 cents per mile, 25 miles per day | $114 |
| New tires | $100 |
| Repairs | $50 |
| Painting vehicle four times | $100 |
| $1,364 | |
| Horse and Vehicle | |
| Original cost, horse, harness and vehicle | $500 |
| Cost of keeping horse five years | $1,200 |
| Shoeing the horse | $180 |
| Repairs on vehicle, including rubber tires | $150 |
| Repairs on harness, $10 per year | $50 |
| Painting vehicle four times | $100 |
| $2,180 | |
References
- The Birth of Ford Motor Companyhttps://archive.today/20130415004346/http://hfha.org/HenryFord.htm%23Ford-Motor-Co
- History Today
- River Rouge: Ford's Industrial Colossus
- Chrysler, Ford, Durant, and Sloan: Founding Giants of the American Automotive Industry
- Location of first Cadillac factoryhttp://detroit1701.org/CadillacAmsterdam.html
- Ford N Series Tractors
- Internal Combustion
- Henry's Attic: Some Fascinating Gifts to Henry Ford and His Museum
- My Life and Workhttps://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/7213/pg7213.html
- Chrysler, Ford, Durant, and Sloan: Founding Giants of the American Automotive Industry
- History of the Ford Motor Companyhttp://hfha.org/the-ford-story/the-birth-of-ford-motor-company/