| Once people realized the automobile
was not just another passing phase, they found ways to make money
based on the needs of the motorist. In 1899, A. L. Dyke established
the country’s first automobile supply house and catalog
in St. Louis, selling parts and kit cars, as well as motoring
clothes. Charles Marien opened St. Louis’s first repair
shop in 1902. And, the world’s first gas station opened
in St. Louis in 1905, pumping gas to motorists by way of a garden
hose.
In addition to businesses, clubs and organizations were formed
for auto enthusiasts. The Automobile Club of St. Louis, later
changed to the Automobile Club of Missouri, was founded in 1902
with 16 members at the first meeting.
Many companies were quick to develop products in order to profit
off of the needs of the automobile owner. St. Louis companies
such as Schaeffer Bros. & Powell Manufacturing, Wagner Electric
Manufacturing, Moog, and McQuay-Norris offered a variety of aftermarket
parts and products for sale to both auto manufacturers and owners.
|
F. C. Rohde's Auto Specialties Shop at 4135 Olive Street, ca. 1900.
Henry Bender Tire Repair Company at 4388 Olive Street, ca. 1908-1915.
 The first gas station in St. Louis, 1905.
McQuay-Norris Streamliner
In 1932 the McQuay-Norris Company of St. Louis had six teardrop-shaped cars built for promotion and research purposes. Company engineers designed the vehicle to test McQuay-Norris products on the road under normal driving conditions and to make these products known by every driver and mechanic across the country.
Through the 1930s the cars traveled the United States and Canada. McQuay-Norris hired young graduate engineers to drive the vehicles after personally rebuilding their vehicle's Ford engine using McQuay-Norris parts, so they could testify to their effectiveness as they called on potential customers.
This particular 1934 McQuay-Norris Streamliner is believed to be the sole survivor of the original fleet of six. The vehicle, known as test car number 9, was found in less-than-ideal conditions in Columbus, Ohio, in 1975. (The company labeled the cars one to fifteen, even though only six cars were produced.) At that time a collector purchased the vehicle and took 15 years to get it into operable condition. After changing hands several times, the vehicle was purchased by Lane Motor Museum in early 2005.
Spot Shot oil can, ca. 1915 Made by Schaeffer Bros. & Powell Mfg. Co.
Ad from The Saturday Evening Post for the Wagner Starter, 1914.
Ad from The Saturday Evening Post for McQuay-Norris piston rings, 1922. |
