Locomobile History: John B. Walker started the Locomobile
Company of America in 1899 in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Locomobiles started as small mid-priced steam driven cars with
engines designed by the Stanley brothers. They made about 4,000
steam engine cars until 1903 when the company turned to the
internal combustion engine and added luxury items. The 1904
Locomobile was a touring car that carried six people and sold
for $4,500. The Locomobile company started racing their cars in
1905 and they won the Vanderbilt Cup in 1908; the first U.S. car
company to win an international race. The most famous Locomobile
was the 1919 Model 48 but it's price, $10,000 compared to the
$300 Model T Ford Phaeton, resulted in limited sales. William
Durant bought the Locomobile company in 1922 and continued to
use the Locomotive marque until 1929.