ROCKWELL

Connecticut Cab Co. (1910-1911)

Bristol, Connecticut

This is believed to be a Rockwell emblem (1910-1911)   alt
Size: Unknown

Albert F. Rockwell was the inventor of various components used on bicycles, which were manufactured by his ball bearing making company, New Departure Manufacturing Company based in Bristol, Connecticut. 

In the summer of 1908, Albert Rockwell had set up Bristol Engineering Corporation for the manufacture of taxicabs and automobiles. A few cars were built for Allen-Kingston and more were built for Rockwell's friend Harry S. Houpt. 

In late August 1909, Harry Houpt's big powerful new 50/60 hp car made its debut in the Brighton Beach 24-hour race. Something had happened, however, as the car was entered in the Brighton Beach event as the "Houpt-Rockwell" rather than the "Houpt". By April 1910, it was announced that the Harry S. Houpt motor car manufacturing enterprise had been absorbed by Rockwell's New Departure Manufacturing Company. Total Houpt-Rockwell production has been estimated to be about 100 cars.

Albert Rockwell decided to move into the manufacture of a taxicab called the "Rockwell" and organized the Connecticut Cab Company for this purpose. The Rockwell was designed by Rockwell's Bristol Engineering Company and built by his New Departure Manufacturing Company. 

The Rockwell was a handsome landaulet-styled vehicle powered by a water cooled 18/20 hp four-cylinder engine. The Rockwell was considered to be one of the finest taxicabs in America but did not last very long. Two hundred Rockwell taxicabs were in service in New York City by late 1910 and others were offered for general sale also. There was a Houpt-Rockwell stand at the New York Automobile Show at Grand Central Palace in late December 1910/early January 1911, which included a Rockwell taxicab. Rockwell taxicab production continued into 1911 but was finished that year. 

Emblems

The following original period factory photo showing a Rockwell taxicab is from the Detroit Public Library digital archive and is dated 1908, which is believed to be incorrect. Most references offer an early 1910 date for the start of production of the Rockwell, but some production may have commenced in mid 1909 for the 1910 model year.

Rockwell taxicab showing radiator emblem (c1909)  dpl

This early photo shows a round radiator emblem but the detailed design cannot be seen. There is also a possible small nameplate on the front of the dash firewall.

The following original period photo showing a Rockwell taxicab is dated 1909 and also shows a round radiator emblem:

Rockwell taxicab with round radiator emblem (1909)  dpl

A close up of the round radiator emblem is shown below:

Close up showing radiator emblem (1909)

It is difficult to see clearly but this close up photo shows a stylized letter "R" with what may be an arrow passing through at an angle. This appears to be the same basic design as seen in the vertical rectangular Rockwell radiator emblem shown above at the top of this post. 

This vertical rectangular Rockwell radiator emblem is from the Al Thurn emblem collection from the 1960's and is labeled as a "Rockwell".

The following original period photo shows the Houpt-Rockwell stand at a trade show. It is labeled 1911 and may, just possibly have been taken at the New York Automobile Show in early January 1911. One of the two vehicles on display appears to be a taxicab but has a label hanging over the front of the radiator so the radiator emblem cannot be seen.

Houpt-Rockwell trade stand (1911)    dpl

Possible Rockwell taxicab (1911)    dpl

It is tempting to think that this taxi may have displayed a vertical rectangular radiator emblem but I cannot confirm this. 

If you can help with further evidence of the vertical rectangular Rockwell radiator emblem, please let me know in order to update this post.