Information on the 1906 Knox Model F-4
Additional photographs of the 1906 Knox Model F-4
1906 Knox Model F-41906 Knox Model F-41906 Knox Model F-41906 Knox Model F-41906 Knox Model F-4
1906 Knox Model F-41906 Knox Model F-4
1906 Knox Model F-41906 Knox Model F-4

1906 Knox Model F-4Harry Knox was a graduate of the Springfield Technical Institute. After graduating, he worked for the Overman Wheel Company in Chicopee Falls, where he built three prototype cars. His friend and automotive pioneer, J. Frank Duryea in Springfield Massachusetts, encouraged him to create a company and produce automobiles. The result was the Knox Automobile Company with the first vehicle design being a three-wheel runabout, of which 53 were built in 1900.

By 1902, Knox was producing four-wheel cars, all powered by the Knox hallmark 'porcupine' engine having an air-cooled design. It used spike-like pins on the cylinder instead of cooling fins. The engine was positioned low in the chassis, and fitted with a transverse crankshaft and cylinders extending fore and aft. The early models had a sloping front dashboard. Several years later, they were given dummy hoods that had become fashionably in the industry.

In 1904, Harry Knox left the company to build the Atlas car across town. Even after the founder leaving, the Knox Company expanded to build five models, with one to four cylinders, by 1906.

In 1908, a water-cooled model was added to the lineup.

The F-4 model sold for $1400 in 1906. Two years later a Model G limousine sold for $5,000.

This 1906 Knox F-4 is a fully restored example that is fitted with a 168 cubic-inch twin-cylinder horizontally-opposed L-head air-cooled engine with atmospheric intake valves. There is a two-speed planetary transmission with mechanical brakes on the differential and transmission. There is a chain drive, side-mounted carbide generator for the gas lighting, correct style wheels and tires, and a side-mounted crank.

In 2009, this car was offered for sale at the Vintage Motor Cars of Hershey presented by RM Auctions where it was estimated to sell for $40,000 - $60,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $24,750, including buyer's premium.