Emergency Roadster

Daniels Motor Company

Words By:
Dr. Fred Simeone

Why The American Sports Car?

This series intends to bring to light the interesting sports cars, like those from the Daniels Motor Company, that American manufacturers proposed in their sales literature, in a failing attempt to interest American buyers. Nevertheless, these stillborn vehicles were of interesting design and their memory should be revived. Fortunately, our library has an extensive collection of sales literature which, besides illustrating the cars and their features, hawk a sporting motoring experience.

Daniels Motor Company

The Daniels Motor Company of Reading, Pennsylvania made quality automobiles from 1916 through 1924 and were known as automotive pioneers in the Brass Era. Although most were luxury cars, and only a few hundred were made each year, they were generally “staid” and rather expensive.

For just one year, 1921, they made the “Submarine Speedster” a two passenger car distinct from the 3 passenger submarine below.

Submarine Speedster adjust 1

This ambitious attempt to produce a high quality sports car apparently failed and that model was quickly given up. The company also gave up altogether in 1924, in the midst of battling between the management and the financier. The image below shows the striking speedster, with a 404 cu.in., 90 hp engine which must have created quite a fuss, but not enough to sell sports cars in America.

Emergency Roadster adjust 1

Hours and Info

6825 Norwitch Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19153
215-365-7233
Tuesday – Friday 10AM through 6PM
Saturday – Sunday 10AM through 4PM
Closed Mondays and Major Holidays

About the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

Located in Philadelphia, PA, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is one of the world’s greatest collections of racing sports cars. Through our theme, “The Spirit of Competition”, we celebrate the history and evolution of these magnificent machines.

Assembled over 50 years by Dr. Frederick Simeone, the Museum contains over 75 historically significant cars including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley, Porsche, Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, and more.

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