1903 Pope-Hartford Model B

The Pope Manufacturing Company was founded by Colonel Albert Pope in 1876 as a bicycle manufacturer, adding high-quality, avant-garde motorcars in 1903. The Pope-Hartford Runabout was called the Model A, while the Tonneau Tourer was named the Model B, and both rested on a 78-inch wheelbase platform and were powered by a single-cylinder engine offering 10 horsepower. The engine was backed by a two-speed planetary transmission with chain drive and braking employed a single rear mechanical brake. The suspension used solid axles with semi-elliptic leaf springs.

The Pope-Hartford was in operation from 1903 through 1914. Among Colonel Albert Pope's automotive empire were the Pope-Robinson, Pope-Toledo (1903–1909), Pope-Tribune (1904–1907), and Pope-Waverley. Mr. Pope declared bankruptcy in 1907 and passed away in August 1909. The Pope Manufacturing Company filed for bankruptcy in 1915, and a year later, was reorganized and renamed The Westfield Manufacturing Company.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2021