Rickenbacker (car)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rickenbacker was a US automobile manufactured in Detroit, Michigan from 1922 until 1927.

The company was established by Eddie Rickenbacker (1890 - 1973), a legendary American fighter pilot. He used his World War I flying squadron emblem depicting a tophat inside a ring. The emblems were located both on the front and the back of the cars.

Rickenbacker made sporting coupés. Four wheel inside brakes were introduced in 1923. Rickenbacker made an unsuccessful attempt to merge with the British Peerless around 1924. Early six cylinder engines were replaced in 1925 by an eight cylinder engine. The model was named Vertical Eight Super Fine which referred to the advanced proprietary engine and the high quality of the cars.

Although 1926 saw new models signed 6-70, 8-80 and 8-90, Rickenbacker cars were too expensive for the time and sales were poor. Before the company closed down in 1928, more than 11,000 cars had been built.

The manufacturing equipment were sold to Audi and transported to Germany, somewhat ironic since Rickenbacker renounced his German heritage in light of World War II. This transaction was reflected in Audi Zwickau and Dresden models, using six or eight cylinder Rickenbacker engines.

Some Rickenbacker cars still survive.

See also List of automobile manufacturers