Historical Note: Simplex Automobile Company

The Simplex Automobile Company was a car manufacturer based in New York, New York in the early 20th century. Originally S&M Simplex, it was founded by Albert P. Smith and Carleton R. Mabley in 1904. That iteration of the firm only lasted about three years before they went bankrupt. During that time they manufactured about 120 "S&M Simplex" model cars. S&M Simplex was taken over in 1907 by the textile importer Herman Broesel who renamed the company Simplex Automobile Company. They continued to manufacture the S&M model but added additional models to their line, including the Toy Tonneau and the Touring car. Under Broesel's management the company produced about 230-250 cars. Some of the production was in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Broesel died in 1912 and his sons sold the business in 1913 to bankers Goodrich, Lockhart and Smith. Around 1915 the Wright Company acquired control of the Simplex Company so that they could increase their production of engines, and were granted rights to manufacture the Hispano-Suiza engine in the U.S.

By 1917 the company had merged with Crane Motor Car Company based in Bayonne, New Jersey to become Crane-Simplex. During World War I they manufactured aircraft engines. By 1919 the company was absorbed by Mercer Motor Company of Trenton, New Jersey but would soon be consolidated with other holdings of Hare Motors.

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