Arkansas'
chapter in Automotive History began early in 1919 with the forming of the
Climber Motor Corporation in No. Little Rock. The factory was
built on a 20
acre tract of land located at 1800 East Seventeenth Street.
Capitalized
at $1,000,000, stock sold initially at $10 per share. The incorporators
were William Drake, Clarence Roth and Davis Hopson with Drake as the President
of the Firm. However, in October 1919, a reorganization brought Henry
Buhler, who had been Sales Manager, in as President.
Promoters
of the Climber Motor Company went to Detroit and hired George Schoeneck as Chief
Engineer. He was given the responsibility of purchasing material and parts that would be needed in producing the Climber Automobile. Production was
scheduled to begin in the Spring of 1919. He was soon joined by Ernest
Taylor, Chief Electrician, who later was promoted to Plant Superintendent.
Schoeneck
went North and purchased and shipped to Little Rock all the equipment, materials
and parts to begin production. Unable to acquire all the "finished
parts", its was necessary to design and manufacture some components along
with the equipment necessary to install them. This delayed production
until late 1919.
The
name Climber is appropriate. It would climb like a tractor, yet run well
on the highway. To prove its stamina and climbing ability, a Climber was
once driven up the steps of the State Capitol Building in Little Rock.
From
its beginning, the Climber Motor Corporation was in financial trouble and during
its few years of production, 1919-1923, built approximately 275 cars.
Climber Motor Corporation
Little Rock, AR
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Engine: Six-Cylinder, Herschell-Spillman
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Bore and Stroke: 3 1/2 " x 5"
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Main Bearings: Three die cast babbitt
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Ignition: High tension Bosch magneto
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Carburetor: Stormberg - Float feed type
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Clutch: Multiple disc Barg & Beck type, steel &asbestos
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Transmission: Three-speed selective shift in unit w/motor.
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Rear End: Adams Brand
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Ratio: 4.75 to 1
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Wheelbase: 127"
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Tread: 56"
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Tires: 32 x 4 1/2 straight side
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Brakes: Two wheel external contracting on rear axle.
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Springs: Semi-elliptic - front and rear
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Gas Tank: 22 Gallon, vacuum fed
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Price: $2,250.00
The 1923 Climber before restoration.
For Questions or Comments 
This page last update on 09/11/09 01:09:22 PM