Grout (automobile)

Grout Brothers was a manufacturer of steam-powered automobiles in Orange, Massachusetts. The three brothers, Carl, Fred and C.B. were set up in business by their father William H. Grout who had made sewing machines under the New Home name in partnership with Thomas H. White. The early cars were sold under the New Home name.

In 1900, Grout offered a four-seat steam "trap" [Clymer, Floyd. "Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925" (New York: Bonanza Books, 1950), p.14.] powered by a two cylinder engine mounted under the seat. An enclosed body model followe in 1901.

The 1904 "Grout Touring Car" was a touring car model. It could seat 5 passengers and sold for US$2000. The 2-cylinder steam engine was mounted horizontally at the center of the car, with the boiler at the front under the typical touring car hood. This engine produced 12 hp (8.9 kW). The car weighed 2200 lb (998 kg).

In 1904 Grout introduced a range of conventional 4 cylinder gasoline engined car but by then the company had financial problems and few were made. The last cars were made in 1912.

The steamers were exported to the United Kingdom and sold under the Weston name.

Notes

ources

* "Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly" (January, 1904)
*Clymer, Floyd. "Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925" (New York: Bonanza Books, 1950), p.14.