Connersville Automotive History: Lexington Motor Company
This is the second blog in our series discussing the rich automotive past of Connersville, Indiana – an historical foundation upon which Carbon Motors intends to build the campus where the world’s first purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle will be built.
In our first edition, we discussed Auburn Motor Company. If you missed it when we originally posted it, you can read it here. Otherwise, we will move on to the Lexington Motor Company.
Like Auburn, Lexington was also named after the city in which it was founded (Lexington, KY) by Kinsey Stone, a Kentucky race horse promoter. First housed in a barn, production quickly outgrew its humble facility in only a short few months. Connersville and Fayette County residents raised money to build a sizeable building that featured an electric elevator to move automobiles in-between the top and bottom floors in an effort to persuade the company to expand its operations in Connersville.
They were successful and production at the Connersville plant began in 1910. Once again, major components of the car came from Connersville: Central Manufacturing supplied bodies, Ansted Spring and Axel provided the springs, George R. Carter Leather crafted the upholstery.
Major innovations in the car included the steering wheel being on the right-hand side of the car so drivers could easily see the edge of the road during muddy conditions, and the gearshift and hand brake levers located on the driver’s right side and outside of the vehicle. In 1910, a completely equipped car included such features as a folding top and headlights fueled by acetylene gas, kerosene, and tail lamps.
In 1912, the self-starter became standard; it was fueled by acetylene gas but was replaced by an electric system and electric lighting in 1914. That same year, the steering wheel was relocated to the left-hand side of the vehicle so drivers could see the approaching cars.
Notably, the Lexington qualified at the Indianapolis 500 in 1912. It also received several awards, including race winner and first in class, in the Pikes Peak Hill Competition. Carbon Motors is honored to number Lexington among those in its impressive pedigree and we see great possibilities for the E7 to lead the Indianapolis 500 and once again make everyone in Connersville proud of their automotive heritage. There just might be a nice pace car in town!
Stacy Dean Stephens
Co-Founder and Sales Development Manager
Carbon Motors Corporation
Tagged: police, police car, carbon motors, history, museum, lexington, green, sustainable, homeland security, e7, atvmip, atvmlp, section 136, jobs, economic, development, connersville, indiana, cop, cops, cop car, cop cars, purpose built, law enforcement, patrol, patrol vehicle
Comments
I believe Connersville acquired a rare example of a Lexington automobile a couple of years ago from a collector. It can be seen in the local history museum.
Interesting how much true history is coming out about Connersville. It would be nice to see some old pictures included in the next blogs if they can be found, dug up, and sent in. Can someone get a picture of the old car or cars at the museum and send it in?
Please wait…
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