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Oneida is one of several American cars and trucks whose name is derived
from American Indians, in this case a tribe which migrated from New York
state to Wisconsin.
The first Oneida trucks were made in four sizes from 1 to 3Y2-tons, all
with 4-cylinder Continental engines, 3speed Cotta transmissions and Timken
worm drive. By 1919 a 5-tonner had been added to the range, and new
components included Hinkley engines and Wisconsin axles. For a time Oneida
produced an agricultural tractor, and also a 2-ton electric truck from 1920
to 1922. This was a cab-over design like most electrics of the time, with
batteries suspended from sides of the frame. Financial difficulties caused
two reorganizations of Oneida during the 1920s, but production continued on
a small scale with trucks in the 1 to 5-ton classes and buses for 25, 30 and
42 passengers. Engines were Continental and Hinkley, and from 1927 onwards,
Hercules.
Not to be confused with Oneida Products Co. of Canastota, NY, a school
bus body builder of the 1940s-1960s
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