Scioto Car Co. (1911-1912)
ArBenz Car Co. (1912-1916)
National United Service Co. (1916-1918)
Chillicothe, Ohio
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| This is an ArBenz radiator script (c1912) khc Size: 245mm wide |
The ArBenz was named after Fred C. Arbenz and his son Nand James Arbenz, who designed their car. They initially set up the Scioto Car Company to produce the ArBenz but in August 1911 it was announced that the company name would change to the ArBenz Car Company.
The ArBenz was initially a 30/40 hp four-cylinder car offered in four models in the mid-price range until 1914. For 1914, the engine size was reduced to 27 hp but increased to 40 hp again for 1915 and then available in roadster or touring body styles. A much smaller 17 hp Model 25 five passenger touring was the only ArBenz offering from 1916 to the end of production.
In March 1916, the company was taken over by the National United Service Company but ArBenz production did not continue beyond late 1917. By 1918, only a few ArBenz cars were being produced from parts on hand.
Emblem
From the start, Scioto Car Company advertisements spelled the name of their car as the "ArBenZ" to suggest an association with Barney Oldfield and the Blitzen Benz race car, which Barney Oldfield used in 1910 to break land speed records thereby creating great public interest.
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| ArBenZ car adv (1911) catj |
ArBenZ cars did not have a radiator emblem but did display the "ArBenZ" name using a plated brass script mounted on the radiator core, as seen in ArBenZ advertisements and original period photos, see examples shown below:
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| ArBenZ car ad (1912) The Dayton Herald |
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| Detail showing "ArBenz" radiator script (1912) |
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| ArBenZ motor car showing radiator script (c1911) rosscountyhistoricalsociety |
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| ArBenZ motor car showing radiator script (1912) rosscountyhistoricalsociety |
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| This is an ArBenZ radiator script (c1912) khc Size: 245mm wide |
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