A Car Without A Name

A Car Without A Name was an automobile built in 1909 by a company that identified itself in advertisements only as "Department C, 19 North May Street, Chicago." The address had previous been the location where the Reliable-Dayton automobile had been built.

The idea behind the name, or lack therefore of, was that it would allow its buyers of the generic vehicle to name the vehicle as they wished, (or as ego permitted) without the expense or bother of setting up their own automobile concern. Such practices in the early days of the automobile market were not uncommon, however most companies that were involved with such endeavors at least had publicly known names.

The A Car Without A Name was equipped with a 30hp engine, three-speed transmission and came in three body styles, roadster, coupe- tonneau and touring car, and priced below $1,700 per unit. Because The Car had no name, it is impossible to find a concrete production number for the period that builds were untaken.

By 1910, the Car was given an official name, the F.A.L., which was derived by its backers last names of Fauntleroy, Averill and Lowe. F.A.L. continued in production through 1914 at its factory in Chicago until its assets were liquidated at auction.

References

* p.14.
* One-Hundred Makes that Didn’t. Editors of Collectible Automobile. "Collectible Automobile Magazine". p. 58. Volume 17, Number 4. December, 2000.