1921 Haynes Light Six Model 47

Eldwood Haynes was born in Portland, Indiana in 1857. He became an inventor and metallurgist, eventually moving to Kokomo, Indiana in 1892. Among his accolades and accomplishments is the discovery of stainless steel and the alloy Stellite. In 1891 he began designing a 'horseless carriage,' and by 1893, he had contracted with Elmer Apperson to build the petrol-driven buggy. By the Fourth of July, the car took to the road just outside of Kokomo becoming one of the first-ever self-propelled gasoline vehicles in America. The Duryea brothers, however, were the first in September of 1893. Elmer Apperson, and his younger brothers Edgar and Elwood, would create several more experimental vehicles. In 1898, the Haynes-Apperson company was formed with the purpose of manufacturing and selling gasoline-powered carriages. By 1904, the company was building rather advanced, solidly constructed, well-engineered two-cylinder models. 1904 was also the final year that Haynes and the Apperson brothers built vehicles together. After going their separate ways, both would go on to build their own automobiles, well into the 1920s.

A speedster model was offered by Haynes as early 1907, and a semi-racer model followed shortly thereafter. In 1909, the Model 36 series was offered in speedster form called the X-4 Hiker. Haynes would become a direct competitor with the Stutz Bearcat, Marmon Speedster, and the Mercer raceabout. In 1921, with a price of $3,500, the Haynes cost roughly the same as the Mercer Raceabout, and both manufacturers were competing in the high-end sports car market. Haynes models were initially offered in both a six and twelve-cylinder version, combining sport and luxury that was different from the competition.

The 1921 Haynes model lineup included the Light Six equipped with a six-cylinder engine offering approximately 50 horsepower and resting on a 132-inch wheelbase platform. Prices ranged from $2,935 to $4,250 with coachwork that included a sedan, touring, Tourister, Speedster, Brougham, and Suburban. The Touring, sedan, and Suburban had seating for seven. The speedster was a two-passenger vehicle, the Brougham had seating for five, and the Tourister could accommodate four individuals.

The 1921 Haynes Light Twelve Model 48 was equipped with a twelve-cylinder engine that delivered approximately 70 horsepower. Both models used a leaf spring suspension, a three-speed Sliding Gear transmission, and rear-wheel mechanical Brakes. The Model 48 also used a 132-inch wheelbase platform (the same as the six-cylinder Model 47) with prices that ranged from $3,635 to $4,950. Body styles included the Tourister, Suburban, Brougham, Coupe, and Speedster.

The Speedster body style included a true folding top and plaited Spanish leather sets. Six wire wheels were standard and the rear deck sported a luggage carrier and trunk. An aluminum step plate allowed cabin access. The rear deck trunk also featured a side-opening golf club access door.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2021