Name/Title
Searchmont Type VII 1904Description
Searchmont was a short-lived manufacturer that grew out of the purchase of the Keystone Motor Company in Philadelphia. There was early influence from Edward B Gallagher of Keystone; Henri Fournier, a famous French race driver; and Lee Sherman Chadwick who developed the Chadwick automobile based partly on his four cylinder engine design that had been rejected by Searching.
Upon the closing of Searchmont, approximately 100 two cylinder cars were purchased at a discounted price of $750.00 by the John Wanamaker Department Stores in Philadelphia and New York and sold through the stores at $1100.00. (approximately a 50% reduction from their original retail price of $2200.-$2500)
One other Searchmont, a 1903 Type VII, is known to exist and is in the collection at the Forney Museum.
Vehicle made operational in august of 2015, shown at Owl's Head Wings & Wheels, Bangor Wheels on the Waterfront and planned for Boston cup (2015) (wpb)
Shown at Boston Cup 2015 and Autumn Gold in Ellsworth in 2016,
Model: Type VII Tourer
Body Style: Rear Entrance Touring Tonneau
Engine Details: Two Cylinder in line, 10 HP
Transmission: Four speed forward, one reverse, dual chain drive (planetary?)
Suspension: Longitudinal Leaf Springs
Brakes: External at rear wheels, Transmission Brake? (disconnected)
Wheelbase: Wood, Spoked
Cost New: 2500
This is a four passenger touring, rear entrance tonneau; the body is deep blue with red striping, black fenders, and red wheels with gold striping. The car has brass trim, radiator, and lighting; a black leather interior, and a wood steering wheel.
Special Features: Forced lubrication (first in US) Large Tonneau Seating, Battery & Magneto Ignition. Has a drop-down, dig-in anti-roll back "brake. The vehicle has a history of use in the London to Brighton Run"