edited by David Barth, 15 March 2009.
Courtesy Antique Car Museum of Iowa at 860 Quarry Road, Coralville, Iowa, 52241
USA.
Photos were taken in March 2009.
Frank Knight was described as "an electrical and mechanical wizard." His knowledge was sought by hundreds of industries
throughout the country and he completed projects for them in his well-equipped shop in Keokuk, Iowa. Mr. Knight also had
a disability that prevented him from walking long distances. Perhaps this is what prompted him to build a vehicle for
getting around town and to nearby communities when the occasion arose.
When completed in October 1902, Frank Knight's vehicle was the first in Keokuk. It is powered by a one-cylinder,
water-cooled engine with a 4 1/2 inch stroke. The horsepower is estimated to be 2 1/2. It has two forward speeds and
one reverse. The car has chain drive.
The radiator is a few inches wide and located on the side of the car. The fuel tank is in the dashboard and holds
about five gallons of gas, enough for the car to drive 150 miles. The car gets about 30 miles per gallon.
The car was given to the Keokuk, Iowa Public Library in 1940 where it was on display for many years. It was last driven
in 1972. It is on permanent loan from the library to the Iowa Transportation Museum.
