Herff–Brooks Corporation was a brass era automobile manufacturer based in Indianapolis, Indiana, operating from approximately 1914 to 1916.
Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1913 |
| Defunct | 1917 |
| Fate | Factory turned over to war work |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Key people | Herff Brothers, H. H. Brooks |
| Products | Automobiles |
History
Herff–Brooks was formed in 1913 to take over the sales of the Marathon Motor Works of Nashville, Tennessee, which was experiencing financial difficulties. H. H. Brooks, who had been the General Sales Manager for Marathon, arranged for the Indianapolis-based company to handle Marathon sales.
After Marathon went into receivership in 1914, Herff–Brooks purchased the defunct Marathon machinery and, along with some of the same personnel, set up a new factory at the Wayne Works in Richmond, Indiana.
Automobiles
The Herff–Brooks automobiles were essentially identical to the 1914 Marathons with only minor improvements. The company offered:
- A 40 hp four-cylinder car, priced at $1,100
- A 50 hp six-cylinder car, priced at $1,375
- For 1915, a 25 hp car was added, selling at $765
Between 1915 and early 1917, the Wayne Works supplied Herff–Brooks with Richmond automobiles built with a Herff–Brooks badge. During this period, national magazines listed the Herff–Brooks Corporation of Indianapolis as "General Sales Agents" rather than manufacturers.
Closure
Automobile production ceased around 1916–1917. H. H. Brooks left to join Marmon as a Sales Manager in 1917. The Wayne Works factory was turned over to war production for World War I. The company was formally dissolved shortly thereafter.
