1905 Cameron 4-Cylinder at Audrain Automobile Museum's Air-Cooled: Keep It Simple Exhibit

March 22nd through July 13th, 2025

Dick Shappy's 1905 Cameron Automobile Company's Four-Cylinder Antique Vehicle is on display for your viewing pleasure at Audrain Automobile Mu­seum of New­port, Rhode Island from March 22nd through July 13th, 2025 featured in their Air-Cooled: Keep it Simple Exhibition.

 
Dick Shappy with 1905 Cameron 4-Cylinder at Audrain Automobile Museum
Dick Shappy with 1905 Cameron 4-Cylinder at Audrain Automobile Museum.
 

Everett S. Cameron founded the Cameron Automobile Company in 1899 in Mass­achu­setts, producing vehicles from 1903 to 1914 and sporadically between 1916 and 1920. His first cars were steam-powered, but once funding was acquired, he began producing internal combustion, air-cooled vehicles and went on to produce trucks, tractors, and even boats in addition to cars. The Cameron set industry standards with their innovation, including left-side steering wheels, and front- mounted, air-cooled engines.

Cameron employed the James W. Brown Company of Pawtucket, Rhode Island to produce their first single-cylinder vehicles, and, in 1904, added two, three, and finally four-cylinder cars to the selection. The Cameron automobiles began garnering attention, even setting world records. In 1906, the Cameron Company relocated back to Mass­achu­setts, opened a plant, and began establishing branch locations, introducing a revolutionary rear-mounted gearbox. They continued expanding until World War I cost them their financial backing, but experienced several rebirths, eventually producing tractors.

 
1905 Cameron 4-Cylinder at Audrain Automobile Museum (left front)
1905 Cameron 4-Cylinder at Audrain Automobile Museum (left front)
 

This 4-cylinder Cameron was produced by the James W. Brown Company right here in Pawtucket, RI in 1905 and was known for its lightweight design and two-speed transmission. It's gone through a meticulous and correct restoration, one of the few surviving examples of the work of Cameron & Brown.

This very rare and wonderful running car has undergone a meticulous and correct restoration. It is currently featured in the Air-Cooled: Keep It Simple exhibit at the Audrain Automobile Mu­seum in New­port, Rhode Island. They share that it is, “One of two of the Model 9 known to survive.” Manufactured by the James W. Brown Company right here in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Audrain also highlights that the “air-cooled combustion engine has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. Initially, liquid-cooled engines were the norm, but air-cooled designs gained popularity due to their simplicity and reliability.” They also note the 20 horsepower, patented 3-speed rear axle mounted gearbox transmission, elastic spring suspension, and 45 mile per hour top speed on this unique vehicle. Now is your chance to see it in person from March 22nd to July 13th, 2025.

 
1905 Cameron 4-Cylinder at Audrain Automobile Museum (left rear)
1905 Cameron 4-Cylinder at Audrain Automobile Museum (left rear)
 

Audrain Automobile Mu­seum:

“The air-cooled combustion engine has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. Initially, liquid-cooled engines were the norm, but air-cooled designs gained popularity due to their simplicity and reliability.”

“One of two of the Model 9 known to survive.

In 1908, Cameron introduced four models of the 20hp 4-cylinder car, this accommodates four passengers for $1100, still with air-cooling and a round bonnet much like the contemporary Franklin Car Company. The patented gearbox mounted on the rear axle, a feature that was retained until the end of Cameron production in 1920.

Few cars have had so many changes of address and company organization as the Cameron. Built by the United Motor Co., Pawtucket, R.I., 1902 – 1903, and the James Brown Machine Corp., Pawtucket, R.I., 1903 – 1904. During the Rhode Island period, it began as a light two-seater powered by a 6hp single-cylinder air-cooled engine using a shaft drive.

In 1905, the Cameron Car Co. was established in Brockton, MA, producing larger vehicles equipped with 2- or 3- cylinder air-cooled engines generating up to 12hp. Manufacturing was moved to Brockton, MA and New London, CT in 1905 – 1908, then moved to Beverly, MA and continuing in New London in 1908 - 1912.

A Cameron six-cylinder was built for a short time in the New London factory, and, in 1913, came the first Cameron cars with water-cooled engines. Apart from the position of the gearbox, the later Cameron cars were conventional cars, though the 1917 Cameron models added adjustable cantilever suspension. The Stamford factory was bought in 1917, and a 6-cylinder car was built in small numbers until 1921.”

For all interested inquiries, visit DSClassics.com.

See video of the exhibit here (3 minute video).