| |
|
Martin P. Winther, a former Jeffery engineer, formed
his own company in 1917. The rear-drive Winther truck was closely followed
by the 4-wheel-drive Winther-Marwin truck, and, in 1920, by the Winther
passenger car
Except for the drives, both trucks were similar in
layout, being powered by 4-cylinder Wisconsin engines of various sizes
driving through Borg & Beck clutches, Cotta 3- or 4-speed transmissions and
Celfer internal gear axles. Cabs were open, but fitted with low doors.
Initial capacities were 2, 3, 4 and 6 tons, priced from $2,750 to $4,600.
Later additions extended the range from 1 to 7 tons, the latter model having
a 4-cylinder Herschell-Spillman engine. Transmissions were Warner, Brown-Lipe
or Fuller, and internal gear axles Torbensen, Medway or Clark. The
4-wheel-drive Winther-Marwin was made in the same sizes, with a shaft
driving from the engine to a central transfer case, and from there to a
shaft to each axle.
As early as 1919 the company claimed that Winthers were
the dominating truck in the U.S. Navy. The 1 Y2tonners were aimed at the
farmers' market, while the heavier models were made for logging (in Oregon),
firefighting and as snowplows. The latter made early use of rotary plows,
and one of the largest used two engines, the rear one over the rear axle to
drive the truck, and the front one for the plow, with the fully-enclosed cab
between.
Throughout the 1920s Winthers continued much the same
mechanically, but with electric starters added. The 1926 range included five
models from 1 ˝ to 5/7 tons, all with Wisconsin engines. In its last year
the products were renamed Winther-Kenosha, and in the summer of 1927 the
plant was sold to H.P. Olsen and truck manufacture was discontinued.
|
